Synopses & Reviews
Review
"...an elegant book...I recommend it in the strongest terms to all interested in the fundamental structure of nature and the surprises quantum field theory has in store." Nature
Synopsis
Introduction to the lattice approach to quantum field theory, a technique that has produced compelling evidence that exchange of gauge gluons can confine the quarks within subnuclear matter.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. Quarks and gluons; 2. Lattices; 3. Path integrals and statistical mechanics; 4. Scalar fields; 5. Fermions; 6. Gauge fields; 7. Lattice gauge theory; 8. Group integration; 9. Gauge-invariance and order parameters; 10. Strong coupling; 11. Weak coupling; 12. Renormalization and the continuum limit; 13. Asymptotic freedom and dimensional transmutation; 14. Mean field theory; 15. The Hamiltonian approach; 16. Discrete groups and duality; 17. Migdal-Kadanoff recursion relations; 18. Monte Carlo simulation I: the method; 19. Monte Carlo simulation II: measuring observables; 20. Beyond the Wilson action; References; Index.