Description

The 2006 second edition of this book develops techniques for studying relativistic field theory in particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. The 2006 second edition of this book develops the basic formalism and theoretical techniques for studying relativistic field theory at finite temperature and density. It covers renormalization, linear response theory, spontaneous symmetry breaking, lattice gauge theory, and nucleation theory. Applications to astrophysics, cosmology, and relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions are also included. The 2006 second edition of this book develops the basic formalism and theoretical techniques for studying relativistic field theory at finite temperature and density. It covers renormalization, linear response theory, spontaneous symmetry breaking, lattice gauge theory, and nucleation theory. Applications to astrophysics, cosmology, and relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions are also included. The 2006 second edition of this book develops the basic formalism and theoretical techniques for studying relativistic quantum field theory at high temperature and density. Specific physical theories treated include QED, QCD, electroweak theory, and effective nuclear field theories of hadronic and nuclear matter. Topics include: functional integral representation of the partition function, diagrammatic expansions, linear response theory, screening and plasma oscillations, spontaneous symmetry breaking, Goldstone theorem, resummation and hard thermal loops, lattice gauge theory, phase transitions, nucleation theory, quark-gluon plasma, and color superconductivity. Applications to astrophysics and cosmology cover white dwarf and neutron stars, neutrino emissivity, baryon number violation in the early universe, and cosmological phase transitions. Applications to relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions are also included. The book is written for theorists in elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Problems are given at the end of each chapter, and numerous references to the literature are included. 1. Review of quantum statistical mechanics; 2. Functional integral representation of the partition function; 3. Interactions and diagrammatic techniques; 4. Renormalisation; 5. Quantum electrodynamics; 6. Linear response theory; 7. Spontaneous symmetry breaking and restoration; 8. Quantum chromodynamics; 9. Resummation and hard thermal loops; 10. Lattice gauge theory; 11. Dense nuclear matter; 12. Hot hadronic matter; 13. Nucleation theory; 14. Heavy ion collisions; 15. Weak interactions; 16. Astrophysics and cosmology; Conclusion; Appendix. Review of the hardback: Praise for the first edition: '… an excellent introduction to the subject … Overall, this is still the only modern work in this area and it is the best place to start from.' T. S. Evans, Contemporary Physics Review of the hardback: 'The material in this book is a well balanced introduction to the current literature on this subject. … This book … has already been a valuable resource to many workers in the field. With the advent of relativistic heavy-ion colliders this publication could not have come at a better time. Both graduate students and more experienced workers in this field should have a copy of this book on their shelves!' Journal of Physics Review of the hardback: '… a wonderfully compact book, filled with useful information and important references.' R. Delbourgo, Mathematical Reviews Review of the hardback: '… an ex