Overview

The book shows how classical field theory, quantum mechanics, and quantum field theory are related. The description is global from the outset. Quantization is explained using the Peierls bracket rather than the Poisson bracket. This allows one to deal immediately with observables, bypassing the canonical formalism of constrained Hamiltonian systems and bigger-than-physical Hilbert (or Fock) spaces. The Peierls bracket leads directly to the Schwinger variational principle and the Feynman functional integral, the latter of which is taken as defining the quantum theory. Also included are the theory of tree amplitudes and conservation laws, which are presented classically and later extended to the quantum level. The quantum theory is developed from the many-worlds viewpoint, and ordinary path integrals and the topological issues to which they give rise are studied in some detail. The theory of mode functions and Bogoliubov coefficients for linear fields is fully developed, and then the quantum theory of nonlinear fields is confronted. The effective action, correlation functions and counter terms all make their appearance at this point, and the S-matrix is constructed via the introduction of asymptotic fields and the LSZ theorem. Gauge theories and ghosts are studied in great detail. Many applications of the formalism are given: vacuum currents, anomalies, black holes, fourth-order systems, higher spin fields, the (lambda phi) to the fourth power model (and spontaneous symmetry breaking), quantum electrodynamics, the Yang-Mills field and its topology, the gravitational field, etc. Special chapters are devoted to Euclideanization and renormalization, space and time inversion, and the closed-time-path or in-in formalism. Emphasis is given throughout to the role of the functional-integral measure in the theory. Six helpful appendices, ranging from superanalysis to analytic continuation in dimension, are included at the end.

Full Product Details

Author:   Bryce S. DeWitt
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Volume:   114
Dimensions:   Width: 16.80cm , Height: 6.10cm , Length: 24.00cm
Weight:   1.864kg
ISBN:  

9780198712855

ISBN 10:   0198712855
Pages:   1136
Publication Date:   20 July 2014
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Not yet available  
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.

Table of Contents

Reviews

... a legacy the author is leaving to those interested in understanding quantum field theory at the deepest level. G. Veneziano, CERN, Geneva ... of significant interest to researchers in quantum field theory and quantum gravity, particularly in the general relativity community. R. Wald, University of Chicago The book's presentation is very impressive. Conceptual problems are elegantly exhibited and there is an inner coherent logic of exposition that could only come from someone who had long and deeply reflected on the subject, and made important contributions to it. Luis Alvarez-Gaume, CERN Courier This book is one of the best books dealing with quantum field theory existing today. It will be of great interest for graduate and postgraduate students as well as workers in the domains of quantum field theory in flat and in curved spacetime and string theories ... share the deep and unique vision of the quantum theory of fields and its formalism by one of its greatest expositors. Journal of Physics ... should be particularly useful for quantum field theorists (especially students), theoretical physicists and mathematicians with an interest in physics. CERN Courier Over the past five decades, DeWitt has worked on the gamut of formal ideas in QFT. 'The Global Approach to Quantum Field Theory' crystallizes a pioneer's view of the subject's development during those years. Stanley Deser, Physics Today, March 2004

Author Information

Bryce DeWitt, University of Texas at Austin

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions