Lie Groups, Lie Algebras, Cohomology and some Applications in Physics
Lie Groups, Lie Algebras, Cohomology and some Applications in Physics
Josi M. Izquierdo, Universitat de València, Spain
Now in paperback, this book provides a self-contained introduction to the cohomology theory of Lie groups and algebras and to some of its applications in physics. No previous knowledge of the mathematical theory is assumed beyond some notions of Cartan calculus and differential geometry (which are nevertheless reviewed in the book in detail). The examples, of current interest, are intended to clarify certain mathematical aspects and to show their usefulness in physical problems. The topics treated include the differential geometry of Lie groups, fibre bundles and connections, characteristic classes, index theorems, monopoles, instantons, extensions of Lie groups and algebras, some applications in supersymmetry, Chevalley-Eilenberg approach to Lie algebra cohomology, symplectic cohomology, jet-bundle approach to variational principles in mechanics, Wess-Zumino-Witten terms, infinite Lie algebras, the cohomological descent in mechanics and in gauge theories and anomalies. This book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in theoretical physics and applied mathematics.
- Self-contained introduction to important area in theoretical physics
- Suitable for both researchers and advanced graduate students
- In highly respected series
- Includes list of symbols and detailed references
Reviews & endorsements
'[This book] reserves for itself a special place among other presentations by successfully trying to be self-contained. Its strong point is a systematic exposition of the mathematical background in an accessible form … the book is most useful for physicists who want to go beyond the standard physics review type introduction to differential geometry. The book offers them a quite rigorous but at the same time lucid and self-contained presentation.' Mathematical Reviews
'This book is a useful contribution to the constantly growing literature that is devoted to the mathematics-physics interface …The book is a welcome relief to the physicist searching for a physically motivated yet mathematically rigorous and systematic exposition of gauge anomalies … The book under review reserves itself a special place among other presentations by successfully trying to be self-contained. Its strong point is a systematic exposition of the mathematical background in an accessible form … a quite rigorous but at the same time lucid and self-contained presentation.' Mathematical Reviews
'The material presented is essentially self-contained and at a basic graduate text level. The material is also well organized and the book reads very well … The book is warmly recommended.' Classical and Quantum Gravity
Product details
No date availablePaperback
9780521597005
476 pages
247 × 175 × 25 mm
0.785kg
22 b/w illus.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Lie groups, fibre bundles and Cartan calculus
- 2. Connections and characteristic classes
- 3. A first look at cohomology of groups and related topics
- 4. An introduction to abstract group extension theory
- 5. Cohomology groups of a group G and extensions by an abelian kernel
- 6. Cohomology of Lie algebras
- 7. Group extensions by non-abelian kernels
- 8. Cohomology and Wess–Zumino terms: an introduction
- 9. Infinite-dimensional Lie groups and algebras
- 10. Gauge anomalies
- List of symbols
- References
- Index.
