This study provides a systematic approach to the quantum theory of collective phenomena, based principally on the model of infinite systems. The author sets the theory within the framework of modern statistical mechanics, formulating it in rigorous, though relatively simple, mathematical terms. This approach leads to a generalized form of statistical thermodynamics, and to useful characterizations of such collective phenomena as phase transitions, irreversibility, and metastability, going beyond the scope of traditional statistical mechanics of finite systems.

This systematic approach to the quantum theory of collective phenomena is based principally on the model of infinite systems. Suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students of physics and chemistry, the three-part treatment begins with an exposition of the generalized form of quantum theory of both finite and infinite systems. Part II consists of a general formulation of statistical thermodynamics, and the final part provides a treatment of the phenomena of phase transitions, metastability, and the generation of ordered structures far from equilibrium. "An excellent and competent introduction to the field … [and] … a source of information for the expert."—Physics Today "This a book of major importance…. I trust that this book will be used as a basis for the teaching of a balanced, modern and rigorous course on statistical mechanics in all universities."—Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society "This is one of the best introductions to the subject, and it is strongly recommended to anyone interested in collective phenomena."—Physics Bulletin "The book may be recommended for students as a well-balanced introduction to this rich subject and it can serve as a useful handbook for the expert."—Journal of Statistical Physics

Well suited as a textbook in the emerging field of stochastic limit, which is a new mathematical technique developed for solving nonlinear problems in quantum theory.

Contents: Extended Systems in Field Theory :Introduction (J-L Gervais and A Neveu)Vortices and Quark Confinement in Non-Abelian Gauge Theories (S Mandelstam)Magnetic and Electric Confinement of Quarks (Y Nambu)Examples of Four-Dimensional Soliton Solutions and Abnormal Nuclear States (T D Lee)Classical Solution in the Massive Thirring Model (S-J Chang)Semiclassical Quantization Methods in Field Theory (A Neveu)The Quantum Theory of Solitons and Other Non-Linear Classical Waves (R Jackiw)Collective Coordinate Method for Quantization of Extended Systems (J-L Gervais, A Jevicki and B Sakita)Quantum Expansion of Soliton Solutions (N H Christ)Hartree-Type Approximation Applied to a ϕ4 Field Theory (S-J Chang)Soliton Operators for the Quantized Sine–Gordon Equation (S Mandelstam)Classical Aspects and Fluctuation-Behaviour of Two Dimensional Models in Statistical Mechanics and Many Body Physics (B Schroer)Quarks on a Lattice, or, the Colored String Model (K G Wilson)New Ideas about Confinement (L Susskind and J Kogut)Gauge Fields on a Lattice (C Itzykson)Non-Perturbative Aspects in Quantum Field Theory:Self-Dual Solutions to Euclidean Yang–Mills Equations (E Corrigan)An Introduction to the Twistor Programme (J Madore, J L Richard and R Stora)Collective Coordinates with Non-Trivial Dynamics (J-L Gervais)A Theory of the Strong Interactions (D J Gross)Magneticmonopoles (D Olive)Dynamical and Topological Considerations on Quark Confinement (F Englert and P Windey)Difficulties in Fixing the Gauge in Non-Abelian Gauge Theories (S Sciuto)Indeterminate-Mass Particles (B M Mccoy and T T Wu)Duality for Discrete Lattice Gauge Fields (C Itzykson)Large Order Estimates in Perturbation Theory (J Zinn-Justin)The Borel Transform and the Renormalization Group (G Parisi)Planar Diagrams (E Brezin)Exact S-Matrices and Form Factors in 1 + 1 Dimensional Field Theoretic Models with Soliton Behaviour (M Karowski)Topology and Higher Symmetries of the Two-Dimensional Nonlinear σ Model (A D'adda, M Luscher and P Di Vecchia)Two-Dimensional Yang–Mills Theory in the Leading 1/N Expansion (T T Wu)Superfluidity and the Two-Dimensional XY Model' (D R Nelson)Bosonized Fermions in Three Dimensions (A Luther)Symmetry and Topology Concepts for Spin Glasses and Other Glasses (G Toulouse)Common Trends in Particle and Condensed Matter Physics:Introduction to Localization(D J Thouless)Conductivity Scaling and Localization(E Abrahams)Disordered Electronic System as a Model of Interacting Matrices(F Wegner)Status Report on Spin Glasses (Not Included in this Report)(S Kirkpatrick)Mean Field Theory for Spin Glasses(G Parisi)The Random Energy Model(B Derrida)Towards a Mean Field Theory of Spin Glasses: the Tap Route Revisited (C De Dominicis)On the Connection Between Spin Glasses and Gauge Field Theories(G Toulouse, J Vannimenus)Monte Carlo Simulations of Lattice Gauge Theories(C Rebbi)Large Dimension Expansions and Transition Patterns in Lattice Gauge Theories(J-M Drouffe)Progress in Lattice Gauge Theory(J B Kogut)Phase Structure of the Z(2) Gauge and Matter Theory(D Horn)General Introduction to Confinement(S Mandelstam)A Simple Picture of the Weak-to-Strong Coupling Transition in Quantum Chromodynamics(C G Callan Jr.)Quantum Fluctuations in a Multiinstanton Background(B A Berg)Some Comments on the Crossover Between Strong and Weak Coupling in Su(2) Pure Yang–Mills Theory(J Frohlich)String Dynamics in QCD (J-L Gervais, A Neveu)Dual Models and Strings: The Critical Dimension(C B Thorn: )Duality and Finite Size Effects in Six Vertex Models(C.B. Thorn: )Scaling at a Bifurcation Point(M Nauenberg, D Scalapino)Some Implications of a Cosmological Phase Transition(T W B Kibble) Readership: Graduate students and researchers in particle physics andcondensed matter physics.

This is an introductory book dealing with collective phenomena in many-body systems. A gas of bosons or fermions can show oscillations of various types of density. These are described by different combinations of field variables. Especially delicate is the competition of these variables. In superfluid 3He, for example, the atoms can be attracted to each other by molecular forces, whereas they are repelled from each other at short distance due to a hardcore repulsion. The attraction gives rise to Cooper pairs, and the repulsion is overcome by paramagnon oscillations. The combination is what finally led to the discovery of superfluidity in 3He. In general, the competition between various channels can most efficiently be studied by means of a classical version of the Hubbard-Stratonovich transformation.A gas of electrons is controlled by the interplay of plasma oscillations and pair formation. In a system of rod- or disc-like molecules, liquid crystals are observed with directional orientations that behave in unusual five-fold or seven-fold symmetry patterns. The existence of such a symmetry was postulated in 1975 by the author and K Maki. An aluminium material of this type was later manufactured by Dan Shechtman which won him the 2014 Nobel prize. The last chapter presents some solvable models, one of which was the first to illustrate the existence of broken supersymmetry in nuclei.

This primer is aimed at elevating graduate students of condensed matter theory to a level where they can engage in independent research. Topics covered include second quantisation, path and functional field integration, mean-field theory and collective phenomena.

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