Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory
Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory
Bei-Lok B. Hu, University of Maryland, College Park
£64.99
GBPBringing together the key ideas from nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and powerful methodology from quantum field theory, this 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 and methodology are applied to current 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. Divided into five parts, with each part addressing a particular stage in the conceptual and technical development of the subject, this self-contained book is a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers in particle physics, gravitation, cosmology, atomic-optical and condensed matter physics.
- The self-supporting nature of the book enables students to get started and removes the need to buy additional texts
- Material is divided into sections that address the different stages in the conceptual and technical development of the subject at graded levels of difficulty
- Novel presentation of the intersection of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and quantum field theory cannot be found in much of the existing literature
Reviews & endorsements
'… 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
Product details
July 2008Hardback
9780521641685
552 pages
253 × 179 × 32 mm
1.1kg
11 b/w illus.
Temporarily unavailable - available from TBC
Table of Contents
- Part I. Fundamentals of Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics:
- 1. Basic issues in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics
- 2. Relaxation, dissipation, noise and fluctuations
- 3. Quantum open systems
- Part II. Basics of Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory: 4. Quantum fields on time-dependent backgrounds: particle creation
- 5. Open systems of interacting quantum fields
- 6. Functional methods in nonequilibrium QFT
- Part III. Gauge Invariance, Dissipation, Entropy, Noise and Decoherence:
- 7. Closed time path effective action for gauge theories
- 8. Dissipation and noise in mean field dynamics
- 9. Entropy generation and decoherence of quantum fields
- Part IV. Thermal, Kinetic and Hydrodynamic Regimes:
- 10. Thermal field and linear response theory
- 11. Quantum kinetic field theory
- 12. Hydrodynamics and thermalization
- 13. Nonequilibrium Bose-Einstein condensates
- 14. Nonequilibrium issues in RHICs and DCCs
- 15. Nonequilibrium quantum processes in the early universe
- References
- Index.
