Quantum Field Theory of Many-body Systems

From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons

Xiao-Gang Wen

Oxford Graduate Texts

For 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 fractionalization, 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 electrons in the universe. This book is a pedagogical and systematic introduction to the new concepts and quantum field theoretical methods in condensed matter physics. It discusses many basic notions in theoretical physics, which underlie physical phenomena in nature, including a notion that unifies light and electrons. 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/quantum order, spin liquid and string condensation. Methods discussed include 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 bringing students to the frontiers of research in condensed matter physics.

Quantum Field Theory of Many-body Systems

From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons

Xiao-Gang Wen

Oxford Graduate Texts

Description

For 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 fractionalization, 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 electrons in the universe. This book is a pedagogical and systematic introduction to the new concepts and quantum field theoretical methods in condensed matter physics. It discusses many basic notions in theoretical physics, which underlie physical phenomena in nature, including a notion that unifies light and electrons. 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/quantum order, spin liquid and string condensation. Methods discussed include 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 bringing students to the frontiers of research in condensed matter physics.

Quantum Field Theory of Many-body Systems

From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons

Xiao-Gang Wen

Oxford Graduate Texts

1. Introduction
2. Path integral formulation of quantum mechanics
3. Interacting boson systems
4. Free fermion systems
5. Interacting fermion systems
6. Quantum gauge theories
7. Theory of quantum hall states
8. Topological and quantum order
9. Mean-field theory of spin liquid and quantum order
10. String condensation - an origin of light and fermions

Quantum Field Theory of Many-body Systems

From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons

Xiao-Gang Wen

Oxford Graduate Texts

Author Information

Xiao-Gang Wen is a professor in the Department of Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Quantum Field Theory of Many-body Systems

From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons

Xiao-Gang Wen

Oxford Graduate Texts

Reviews and Awards

"As a whole, Quantum Field Theory of Many-body Systems is an inspirational and forward-looking book exploring the mysteries and never ending wonders of many-particle quantum mechanicsBoth for ambitious graduate students and for gray-haired veterans, Wen's book offers a refreshing look at the mysterious quantum world."--Physics Today

"... covers an extremely wide-ranging and stimulating series of topics in modern theoretical condensed matter physics."--Nigel Cooper, University of Cambridge

"... responds to a serious need for a modern book on field-theory approaches to condensed matter theory."--Allan H. MacDonald, University of Texas at Austin