Techniques and Applications of Path Integration (Dover Books on Physics)

L. S. Schulman

ISBN 10: 0486445283 / ISBN 13: 9780486445281

Edité par Dover Publications, 2005

A propos de cet article

N° de réf. du vendeur I-9780486445281

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Techniques and Applications of Path Integration (Dover Books on Physics)
• Éditeur: Dover Publications
• Date de parution: 2005
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 0486445283
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9780486445281
• Reliure: Couverture souple
• État de l'article: New

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis

A book of techniques and applications, this text defines the path integral and illustrates its uses by example. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in physics; its sole prerequisite is a first course in quantum mechanics. For applications requiring specialized knowledge, the author supplies background material.
The first part of the book develops the techniques of path integration. Topics include probability amplitudes for paths and the correspondence limit for the path integral; vector potentials; the Ito integral and gauge transformations; free particle and quadratic Lagrangians; properties of Green's functions and the Feynman-Kac formula; functional derivatives and commutation relations; Brownian motion and the Wiener integral; and perturbation theory and Feynman diagrams.
The second part, dealing with applications, covers asymptotic analysis and the calculus of variations; the WKB approximation and near caustics; the phase of the semiclassical amplitude; scattering theory; and geometrical optics. Additional topics include the polaron; path integrals for multiply connected spaces; quantum mechanics on curved spaces; relativistic propagators and black holes; applications to statistical mechanics; systems with random impurities; instantons and metastability; renormalization and scaling for critical phenomena; and the phase space path integral.

Présentation de l'éditeur

Emphasizes the many applications that have been found for path integrals in quantum mechanics, statistical physics, field theory, and optics. Covers both the Feynman integral of quantum mechanics and the Wiener integral of probability theory. Initial experience is gained with solvable integrals and some of the formal and general properties developes.