Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory

This 2008 book, reissued as OA, captures the essence of nonequilibrium quantum field theory, graduate students and researchers.

Esteban A. Calzetta (Author), Bei-Lok B. Hu (Author)

9781009289986, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 February 2023

552 pages
25 x 17.5 x 3.5 cm, 1.11 kg

'… a very well written book which covers thoroughly various formalisms for studying nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and nonequilibrium.quantum field theory … The authors have written many of the seminal papers and the book is a masterpiece of pedagogy, explaining and resolving very clearly many of the technical issues that had to be overcome in the development of this subject. It should prove essential reading to anyone venturing to work in this important new field.' Fred Cooper, Program Director of Theoretical Physics, National Science Foundation

Bringing together the key ideas from nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and powerful methodology from quantum field theory, this 2008 book captures the essence of nonequilibrium quantum field theory. Beginning with the foundational aspects of the theory, the book presents important concepts and useful techniques, discusses issues of basic interest, and shows how thermal field, linear response, kinetic theories and hydrodynamics emerge. It also illustrates how these concepts are applied to research topics including nonequilibrium phase transitions, thermalization in relativistic heavy ion collisions, the nonequilibrium dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensation, and the generation of structures from quantum fluctuations in the early Universe. This self-contained book is a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers in particle physics, gravitation, cosmology, atomic-optical and condensed matter physics. It has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.

Foreword
Part I. Fields: 1. Introduction
2. The electromagnetic field
3. Field parameters
4. The action principle
5. Classical field dynamics
6. Statistical interpretation of the field
7. Examples and applications
Part II. Groups and Fields: 8. Field transformations
9. Spacetime transformations
10. Kinematical and dynamical transformations
11. Position and momentum
12. Charge and current
13. The non-relativistic limit
14. Unified kinematics and dynamics
15. Epilogue: quantum field theory
Part III. Reference: A Compendium of Fields: 16. Gallery of definitions
17. The Schrödinger field
18. The real Klein Gordon field
19. The complex Klein Gordon field
20. The Dirac field
21. The Maxwell radiation field
22. The massive Proca field
23. Non-Abelian fields
24. Chern-Simons theories
25. Gravity as a field theory
Part IV. Appendices.

Subject Areas: Statistical physics [PHS]