This book introduces a large number of topics in lattice gauge theories, including analytical as well as numerical methods. It provides young physicists with the theoretical background and basic computational tools in order to be able to follow the extensive literature on the subject, and to carry out research on their own. Whenever possible, the basic ideas and technical inputs are demonstrated in simple examples, so as to avoid diverting the readers' attention from the main line of thought. Sufficient technical details are however given so that he can fill in the remaining details with the help of the cited literature without too much effort.This volume is designed for graduate students in theoretical elementary particle physics or statistical mechanics with a basic knowledge in Quantum Field Theory.

- Wherever possible simple examples, which illustrate the main ideas, are provided before embarking on the actual discussion of the problem of interest - The book introduces the readers to problems of great current interest, like instantons, calorons, vortices, magnetic monopoles - QCD at finite temperature is discussed at great length, both in perturbation theory and in Monte Carlo simulations - The book contains many figures showing numerical results of pioneering work

This book provides an introduction to topological quantum field theory as well as discrete gauge theory with quantum groups. In contrast to much of the existing literature, the present approach is at the same time intuitive and mathematically rigorous, making extensive use of suitable diagrammatic methods. It provides a highly unified description of lattice gauge theory, topological quantum field theory and models of quantum (super)gravity. The reader is thus in a unique position to understand the relations between these subjects as well as the underlying groundwork.

Publisher Description

This volume is the most up-to-date review on Lattice Gauge Theories and Monte Carlo Simulations. It consists of two parts. Part one is an introductory lecture on the lattice gauge theories in general, Monte Carlo techniques and on the results to date. Part two consists of important original papers in this field. These selected reprints involve the following: Lattice Gauge Theories, General Formalism and Expansion Techniques, Monte Carlo Simulations. Phase Structures, Observables in Pure Gauge Theories, Systems with Bosonic Matter Fields, Simulation of Systems with Fermions.