Quantum Field Theory of Many-Body Systems: From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and ElectronsFor most of the last century, condensed matter physics has been dominated by band theory and Landau's symmetry breaking theory. In the last twenty years, however, there has been the emergence of a new paradigm associated with fractionalisation, topological order, emergent gauge bosons and fermions, and string condensation. These new physical concepts are so fundamental that they may even influence our understanding of the origin of light and fermions in the universe. This book is a pedagogical and systematic introduction to the new concepts and quantum field theoretical methods (which have fuelled the rapid developments) in condensed matter physics. It discusses many basic notions in theoretical physics which underlie physical phenomena in nature. Topics covered are dissipative quantum systems, boson condensation, symmetry breaking and gapless excitations, phase transitions, Fermi liquids, spin density wave states, Fermi and fractional statistics, quantum Hall effects, topological and quantum order, spin liquids, and string condensation. Methods covered are the path integral, Green's functions, mean-field theory, effective theory, renormalization group, bosonization in one- and higher dimensions, non-linear sigma-model, quantum gauge theory, dualities, slave-boson theory, and exactly soluble models beyond one-dimension. This book is aimed at teaching graduate students and bringing them to the frontiers of research in condensed matter physics. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 14 | |
3 Interacting boson systems | 68 |
4 Free fermion systems | 144 |
5 Interacting fermion systems | 187 |
6 Quantum gauge theories | 250 |
Other editions - View all
Quantum Field Theory of Many-Body Systems: From the Origin of Sound to an ... Xiao-Gang Wen No preview available - 2007 |
Quantum Field Theory of Many-Body Systems:From the Origin of Sound to an ... Xiao-Gang Wen No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
algebra ansatz Berry phase boson system bosonic model calculate characterized charge chiral spin correlation functions correspond density described dimensions edge excitations eigenstates electron energy gap equation of motion Fermi liquid theory Fermi surface finite flux FQH liquids free fermion system gapless excitations gauge bosons gauge field gauge fluctuations gauge structure gauge transformation given Green's function ground Hamiltonian Hilbert space hopping instanton interaction invariant label Lagrangian Landau Laughlin light and fermions long-range order loop magnetic many-body massless mean-field theory momentum obtain operator order parameter particle path integral perturbation phase transition phonons Phys physical spin potential Problem propagator properties quantized quantum orders quasihole quasiparticle result Section spectrum spin liquids spin wave spinons string string-net condensation superfluid symmetry group symmetry-breaking term topological orders tunneling two-dimensional vector vortex wave function XY-model zero Αμ