Classical Covariant Fields

Erscheinungsjahr 2005
ISBN: 978-0-521-67577-2
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 551 Seiten, Format (B × H): 170 mm x 244 mm, Gewicht: 941 g

Reihe: Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics

This 2002 book discusses the classical foundations of field theory, using the language of variational methods and covariance. It explores the limits of what can be achieved with purely classical notions, and shows how these have a deep and important connection with the second quantized field theory, which follows on from the Schwinger Action Principle. The book takes a pragmatic view of field theory, focusing on issues which are usually omitted from quantum field theory texts and cataloging results which are often hard to find in the literature. Care is taken to explain how results arise and how to interpret them physically, for graduate students starting out in the field. Many physical examples are provided, making the book an ideal supplementary text for courses on elementary field theory, group theory and dynamical systems. It will also be a valuable reference for researchers already working in these and related areas.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Burgess, Mark

Landshoff, P. V.

Nelson, D. R.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Theoretische Physik, Mathematische Physik, Computerphysik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Experimentalphysik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Geschichte der Physik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Foreword; Part I. Fields: 1. Introduction; 2. The electromagnetic field; 3. Field parameters; 4. The action principle; 5. Classical field dynamics; 6. Statistical interpretation of the field; 7. Examples and applications; Part II. Groups and Fields: 8. Field transformations; 9. Spacetime transformations; 10. Kinematical and dynamical transformations; 11. Position and momentum; 12. Charge and current; 13. The non-relativistic limit; 14. Unified kinematics and dynamics; 15. Epilogue: quantum field theory; Part III. Reference: A Compendium of Fields: 16. Gallery of definitions; 17. The Schrödinger field; 18. The real Klein Gordon field; 19. The complex Klein Gordon field; 20. The Dirac field; 21. The Maxwell radiation field; 22. The massive Proca field; 23. Non-Abelian fields; 24. Chern-Simons theories; 25. Gravity as a field theory; Part IV. Appendices.

Über Autor(innen)

Burgess, Mark
Mark Burgess obtained his PhD in theoretical physics from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1990. He held a Royal Society fellowship at the University of Oslo from 1991 to 1992 and then had a two-year postdoctoral fellowship from the Norwegian Research Council. Since 1994 he has been an associate professor at Oslo University College. Dr Burgess has been invited to lecture at universities and institutes throughout the world, and has published numerous articles, as well as five previous books.