A canonical quantization approach to classical field theory, this text is suitable for mathematicians interested in theoretical physics as well as to theoretical physicists who use differential geometric methods in their modelling. Introduces differential geometry, the theory of Lie groups, and progresses to discuss the systematic development of a covariant Hamiltonian formulation of field theory. 1988 edition.
The first title in a new series, this book explores topics from classical and quantum mechanics and field theory. The material is presented at a level between that of a textbook and research papers making it ideal for graduate students. The book provides an entree into a field that promises to remain exciting and important for years to come.
This book provides advanced undergraduate physics and mathematics students with an accessible yet detailed understanding of the fundamentals of differential geometry and symmetries in classical physics. Readers, working through the book, will obtain a thorough understanding of symmetry principles and their application in mechanics, field theory, and general relativity, and in addition acquire the necessary calculational skills to tackle more sophisticated questions in theoretical physics. Most of the topics covered in this book have previously only been scattered across many different sources of literature, therefore this is the first book to coherently present this treatment of topics in one comprehensive volume. Key features: Contains a modern, streamlined presentation of classical topics, which are normally taught separately Includes several advanced topics, such as the Belinfante energy-momentum tensor, the Weyl-Schouten theorem, the derivation of Noether currents for diffeomorphisms, and the definition of conserved integrals in general relativity Focuses on the clear presentation of the mathematical notions and calculational technique
In this book the authors develop and work out applications to gravity and gauge theories and their interactions with generic matter fields, including spinors in full detail. Spinor fields in particular appear to be the prototypes of truly gauge-natural objects, which are not purely gauge nor purely natural, so that they are a paradigmatic example of the intriguing relations between gauge natural geometry and physical phenomenology. In particular, the gauge natural framework for spinors is developed in this book in full detail, and it is shown to be fundamentally related to the interaction between fermions and dynamical tetrad gravity.
Contemporary quantum field theory is mainly developed as quantization of classical fields. Therefore, classical field theory and its BRST extension is the necessary step towards quantum field theory. This book aims to provide a complete mathematical foundation of Lagrangian classical field theory and its BRST extension for the purpose of quantization. Based on the standard geometric formulation of theory of nonlinear differential operators, Lagrangian field theory is treated in a very general setting. Reducible degenerate Lagrangian theories of even and odd fields on an arbitrary smooth manifold are considered. The second Noether theorems generalized to these theories and formulated in the homology terms provide the strict mathematical formulation of BRST extended classical field theory. The most physically relevant field theories OCo gauge theory on principal bundles, gravitation theory on natural bundles, theory of spinor fields and topological field theory OCo are presented in a complete way. This book is designed for theoreticians and mathematical physicists specializing in field theory. The authors have tried throughout to provide the necessary mathematical background, thus making the exposition self-contained.
From the reviews: "... focused mainly on complex differential geometry and holomorphic bundle theory. This is a powerful book, written by a very distinguished contributor to the field" (Contemporary Physics )"the book provides a large amount of background for current research across a spectrum of field. ... requires effort to read but it is worthwhile and rewarding" (New Zealand Math. Soc. Newsletter) " The contents are highly technical and the pace of the exposition is quite fast. Manin is an outstanding mathematician, and writer as well, perfectly at ease in the most abstract and complex situation. With such a guide the reader will be generously rewarded!" (Physicalia) This new edition includes an Appendix on developments of the last 10 years, by S. Merkulov.
This book is devoted to review two of the most relevant approaches to the study of classical field theories of the first order, say k-symplectic and k-cosymplectic geometry. This approach is also compared with others like multisymplectic formalism.It will be very useful for researchers working in classical field theories and graduate students interested in developing a scientific career in the subject.
Based on a highly regarded lecture course at Moscow State University, this is a clear and systematic introduction to gauge field theory. It is unique in providing the means to master gauge field theory prior to the advanced study of quantum mechanics. Though gauge field theory is typically included in courses on quantum field theory, many of its ideas and results can be understood at the classical or semi-classical level. Accordingly, this book is organized so that its early chapters require no special knowledge of quantum mechanics. Aspects of gauge field theory relying on quantum mechanics are introduced only later and in a graduated fashion--making the text ideal for students studying gauge field theory and quantum mechanics simultaneously. The book begins with the basic concepts on which gauge field theory is built. It introduces gauge-invariant Lagrangians and describes the spectra of linear perturbations, including perturbations above nontrivial ground states. The second part focuses on the construction and interpretation of classical solutions that exist entirely due to the nonlinearity of field equations: solitons, bounces, instantons, and sphalerons. The third section considers some of the interesting effects that appear due to interactions of fermions with topological scalar and gauge fields. Mathematical digressions and numerous problems are included throughout. An appendix sketches the role of instantons as saddle points of Euclidean functional integral and related topics. Perfectly suited as an advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate text, this book is an excellent starting point for anyone seeking to understand gauge fields.
This volume presents three weeks of lectures given at the Summer School on Quantum Field Theory, Supersymmetry, and Enumerative Geometry. With this volume, the Park City Mathematics Institute returns to the general topic of the first institute: the interplay between quantum field theory and mathematics.
