Our systems are now restored following recent technical disruption, and we’re working hard to catch up on publishing. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Find out more

Recommended product

Popular links

Popular links


A Window into Zeta and Modular Physics

A Window into Zeta and Modular Physics

A Window into Zeta and Modular Physics

Klaus Kirsten, Baylor University, Texas
Floyd L. Williams, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
January 2014
Available
Paperback
9781107633933
$51.99
USD
Paperback
USD
Hardback

    This book provides an introduction to (1) various zeta functions (for example, Riemann, Hurwitz, Barnes, Epstein, Selberg, and Ruelle), including graph zeta functions; (2) modular forms (Eisenstein series, Hecke and Dirichlet L-functions, Ramanujan's tau function, and cusp forms); and (3) vertex operator algebras (correlation functions, quasimodular forms, modular invariance, rationality, and some current research topics including higher genus conformal field theory). Various concrete applications of the material to physics are presented. These include Kaluza-Klein extra dimensional gravity, Bosonic string calculations, an abstract Cardy formula for black hole entropy, Patterson-Selberg zeta function expression of one-loop quantum field and gravity partition functions, Casimir energy calculations, atomic Schrödinger operators, Bose-Einstein condensation, heat kernel asymptotics, random matrices, quantum chaos, elliptic and theta function solutions of Einstein's equations, a soliton-black hole connection in two-dimensional gravity, and conformal field theory.

    • The book consists of lectures that are part of the distinguished series of MSRI workshops
    • A serious attempt is made to bridge various gaps between mathematics and physics where, in particular, students and non-experts are targeted
    • Links and interesting interconnections between seemingly unrelated topics in these fields (mathematics and physics) are consistently explored, with a fair amount of detail and exposition

    Product details

    January 2014
    Paperback
    9781107633933
    360 pages
    234 × 156 × 19 mm
    0.51kg
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • Part I. Introductory Lectures:
    • 1. Lectures on zeta functions, L-functions and modular forms with some physical applications Floyd L. Williams
    • 2. Basic zeta functions and some applications in physics Klaus Kirsten
    • 3. Zeta functions and chaos Audrey Terras
    • 4. Vertex operators and modular forms Geoffrey Mason and Michael Tuite
    • Part II. Research Lectures:
    • 5. Applications of elliptic and theta functions to Friedmann-Robertson-Lemaître-Walker cosmology with cosmological constant Jennie D'Ambroise
    • 6. Integrable systems and 2D gravitation: how a soliton illuminates a black hole Shabnam Beheshti
    • 7. Functional determinants in higher dimensions using contour integrals Klaus Kirsten
    • 8. The role of the Patterson-Selberg zeta function of a hyperbolic cylinder in three-dimensional gravity with a negative cosmological constant Floyd L. Williams.
      Contributors
    • Floyd L. Williams, Klaus Kirsten, Audrey Terras, Geoffrey Mason, Michael Tuite, Jennie D'Ambroise, Shabnam Beheshti

    • Editors
    • Klaus Kirsten , Baylor University, Texas

      Dr Klaus Kirsten is a Professor of Mathematics at Baylor University. He is the author of Spectral Functions in Mathematics and Physics (2002) and more than 100 refereed articles in international journals.

    • Floyd L. Williams , University of Massachusetts, Amherst

      Floyd L. Williams is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has edited or authored 27 books and published 78 research papers in math and physics journals. Williams has given more than 100 invited lectures at numerous universities in America and in some 20 different countries around the world.

    • Mathematical Sciences Research Institute