Ebook: Quantum field theory and critical phenomena

Over the last twenty years quantum field theory has become not only the framework for the discussion of all fundamental interactions (except gravitation) but also for the understanding of second-order phase transitions in statistical mechanics. This advanced volume is based on graduate courses and summer schools given over a number of years by the author. It approaches the subject in terms of path and functional integrals. A Euclidean metric has been adopted and the language of partition and correlation functions is used. Renormalization and the renormalization group are discussed. A major part of the book is devoted to critical phenomena before concluding with a discussion of the role of instantons in quantum field theory