Introduction to Quantum Fields on a Lattice

• Format: eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2003
• Subjects: Nuclear physics; chiral symmetry; fermionic coherent states; fermions on the lattice; gauge field on the lattice; Higgs field; lattice regularisation; low mass hadrons in QCD; non-Abelian gauge fields; non-perturbative quantum field theory; O(n) models; path integrals; quark confinement; spinor fields; SU(n) gauge theory; temporal gauge quantization; U(1) gauge theory; weak and strong coupling expansions
• Online Access: Open Access: DOAB: description of the publication; Open Access: DOAB, download the publication

 This book provides a concise introduction to quantum fields on a lattice: a precise and non-perturbative definition of quantum field theory obtained by replacing continuous space-time by a discrete set of points on a lattice. The path integral on the lattice is explained in concrete examples using weak and strong coupling expansions. Fundamental concepts such as 'triviality' of Higgs fields and confinement of quarks and gluons into hadrons are described and illustrated with the results of numerical simulations. The book also provides an introduction to chiral symmetry and chiral gauge theory, as well as quantized non-Abelian gauge fields, scaling and universality. Based on the lecture notes of a course given by the author, this book contains many explanatory examples and exercises, and is suitable as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses.