Boulevard of Broken Symmetries: Effective Field Theories of Condensed Matter [Hardcover]

Adriaan M J Schakel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 981281390X | ISBN-13: 978-9812813909 | Publication Date: October 28, 2008

This textbook covers the main topics in contemporary condensed matter physics in a modern and unified way, using quantum field theory in the functional-integral approach. The book highlights symmetry aspects in acknowledging that much of the collective behaviors of condensed matter systems at low temperatures emerge above a nontrivial ground state, which spontaneously breaks the symmetry.

The emphasis is on effective field theories which provide an efficient and powerful description that is valid at long wavelengths and low frequencies. In conjunction with the emphasis on effective theories, a modern approach towards renormalization is taken, whereby a wavenumber cut-off is introduced to set a scale beyond which the microscopic model under consideration ceases to be valid.

The unique and innovative character of this presentation, free of historical constraints, allows for a compact and self-contained treatment of the main topics in contemporary condensed matter physics.

Contents: Classical Field Theory; Quantum Field Theory; Calculation Tools; Bose-Einstein Condensation; Vortices in 2D; Fermi Gases; Magnetic Order in Fermi Systems; Superconductivity; Duality; From BCS to BEC; Superfluid Helium; Quantum Hall Effect.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Boulevard of Broken Symmetries is written in a style that will have particular appeal to students of statistical mechanics and field theory who wish to learn about interacting condensed-matter systems. The book's breadth of coverage is also attractive ... I consider Boulevard of Broken Symmetries to be a courageous attempt to reformulate how to teach the field theory of condensed-matter physics ... its broad scope will certainly be attractive to those with a field-theory background who are seeking a rapid introduction to the bustling many-body physics subfield of condensed matter. --Physics Today

This book deserves a place in the bookcase of every theoretical physicist who wishes to have a clear exposition of the field theoretic approach to modern condensed matter physics. --Contemporary Physics

Product Details

• Hardcover: 412 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company (October 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 981281390X
• ISBN-13: 978-9812813909
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 6.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,955,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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