Homotopy Quantum Field Theory

Homotopy Quantum Field Theory PDF

Author: Vladimir G. Turaev

Publisher: European Mathematical Society

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 9783037190869

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Homotopy Quantum Field Theory (HQFT) is a branch of Topological Quantum Field Theory founded by E. Witten and M. Atiyah. It applies ideas from theoretical physics to study principal bundles over manifolds and, more generally, homotopy classes of maps from manifolds to a fixed target space. This book is the first systematic exposition of Homotopy Quantum Field Theory. It starts with a formal definition of an HQFT and provides examples of HQFTs in all dimensions. The main body of the text is focused on $2$-dimensional and $3$-dimensional HQFTs. A study of these HQFTs leads to new algebraic objects: crossed Frobenius group-algebras, crossed ribbon group-categories, and Hopf group-coalgebras. These notions and their connections with HQFTs are discussed in detail. The text ends with several appendices including an outline of recent developments and a list of open problems. Three appendices by M. Muger and A. Virelizier summarize their work in this area. The book is addressed to mathematicians, theoretical physicists, and graduate students interested in topological aspects of quantum field theory. The exposition is self-contained and well suited for a one-semester graduate course. Prerequisites include only basics of algebra and topology.

Homotopical Quantum Field Theory

Homotopical Quantum Field Theory PDF

Author: Donald Yau

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2019-11-11

Total Pages: 311

ISBN-13: 9811212872

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book provides a general and powerful definition of homotopy algebraic quantum field theory and homotopy prefactorization algebra using a new coend definition of the Boardman-Vogt construction for a colored operad. All of their homotopy coherent structures are explained in details, along with a comparison between the two approaches at the operad level. With chapters on basic category theory, trees, and operads, this book is self-contained and is accessible to graduate students.

Quantum Field Theory: Perspective and Prospective

Quantum Field Theory: Perspective and Prospective PDF

Author: Cécile Dewitt-Morette

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 417

ISBN-13: 9401145423

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

It has been said that `String theorists talk to string theorists and everyone else wonders what they are saying'. This book will be a great help to those researchers who are challenged by modern quantum field theory. Quantum field theory experienced a renaissance in the late 1960s. Here, participants in the Les Houches sessions of 1970/75, now key players in quantum field theory and its many impacts, assess developments in their field of interest and provide guidance to young researchers challenged by these developments, but overwhelmed by their complexities. The book is not a textbook on string theory, rather it is a complement to Polchinski's book on string theory. It is a survey of current problems which have their origin in quantum field theory.

Quantum Field Theory and Topology

Quantum Field Theory and Topology PDF

Author: Albert S. Schwarz

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-04-09

Total Pages: 277

ISBN-13: 366202943X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

In recent years topology has firmly established itself as an important part of the physicist's mathematical arsenal. It has many applications, first of all in quantum field theory, but increasingly also in other areas of physics. The main focus of this book is on the results of quantum field theory that are obtained by topological methods. Some aspects of the theory of condensed matter are also discussed. Part I is an introduction to quantum field theory: it discusses the basic Lagrangians used in the theory of elementary particles. Part II is devoted to the applications of topology to quantum field theory. Part III covers the necessary mathematical background in summary form. The book is aimed at physicists interested in applications of topology to physics and at mathematicians wishing to familiarize themselves with quantum field theory and the mathematical methods used in this field. It is accessible to graduate students in physics and mathematics.

Lectures on Field Theory and Topology

Lectures on Field Theory and Topology PDF

Author: Daniel S. Freed

Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.

Published: 2019-08-23

Total Pages: 186

ISBN-13: 1470452065

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

These lectures recount an application of stable homotopy theory to a concrete problem in low energy physics: the classification of special phases of matter. While the joint work of the author and Michael Hopkins is a focal point, a general geometric frame of reference on quantum field theory is emphasized. Early lectures describe the geometric axiom systems introduced by Graeme Segal and Michael Atiyah in the late 1980s, as well as subsequent extensions. This material provides an entry point for mathematicians to delve into quantum field theory. Classification theorems in low dimensions are proved to illustrate the framework. The later lectures turn to more specialized topics in field theory, including the relationship between invertible field theories and stable homotopy theory, extended unitarity, anomalies, and relativistic free fermion systems. The accompanying mathematical explanations touch upon (higher) category theory, duals to the sphere spectrum, equivariant spectra, differential cohomology, and Dirac operators. The outcome of computations made using the Adams spectral sequence is presented and compared to results in the condensed matter literature obtained by very different means. The general perspectives and specific applications fuse into a compelling story at the interface of contemporary mathematics and theoretical physics.

Hqfts and Quantum Groups

Hqfts and Quantum Groups PDF

Author: Neha Gupta

Publisher: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 9783847338574

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The thesis is divided into two parts one for dimension 2 and the other for dimension 3. Part one of the thesis generalizes the de nition of an n-dimensional HQFT in terms of a monoidal functor from a rigid symmetric monoidal category X Cobn to any monoidal category A. In particular, 2-dimensional HQFTs with target K(G,1) taking values in A are generated from any Turaev G-crossed system in A and vice-versa. This is the generalization of Turaev's theory into a purely categorical set-up. Part two of the thesis generalizes the concept of a group-coalgebra, Hopf group-coalgebra, crossed Hopf group-coalgebra and quasitriangular Hopf group-coalgebra over a group scheme. Quantum double of a crossed Hopf group-scheme coalgebra is constructed in the a ne case and conjectured for non-a ne case. We can construct 3-dimensional HQFTs from modular crossed G-categories. The category of representations of a quantum double of a crossed Hopf group-coalgebra is a ribbon(quasitriangular) crossed group-category. Hence generates 3-dimensional HQFTs under certain conditions if the category becomes modular. However, systematic nding of modular crossed G-categories is largely open."

Mathematical Aspects of Quantum Field Theories

Mathematical Aspects of Quantum Field Theories PDF

Author: Damien Calaque

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-01-06

Total Pages: 572

ISBN-13: 3319099493

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Despite its long history and stunning experimental successes, the mathematical foundation of perturbative quantum field theory is still a subject of ongoing research. This book aims at presenting some of the most recent advances in the field, and at reflecting the diversity of approaches and tools invented and currently employed. Both leading experts and comparative newcomers to the field present their latest findings, helping readers to gain a better understanding of not only quantum but also classical field theories. Though the book offers a valuable resource for mathematicians and physicists alike, the focus is more on mathematical developments. This volume consists of four parts: The first Part covers local aspects of perturbative quantum field theory, with an emphasis on the axiomatization of the algebra behind the operator product expansion. The second Part highlights Chern-Simons gauge theories, while the third examines (semi-)classical field theories. In closing, Part 4 addresses factorization homology and factorization algebras.

Quantum Field Theory and Manifold Invariants

Quantum Field Theory and Manifold Invariants PDF

Author: Daniel S. Freed

Publisher: American Mathematical Society, IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute

Published: 2021-12-02

Total Pages: 476

ISBN-13: 1470461234

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This volume contains lectures from the Graduate Summer School “Quantum Field Theory and Manifold Invariants” held at Park City Mathematics Institute 2019. The lectures span topics in topology, global analysis, and physics, and they range from introductory to cutting edge. Topics treated include mathematical gauge theory (anti-self-dual equations, Seiberg-Witten equations, Higgs bundles), classical and categorified knot invariants (Khovanov homology, Heegaard Floer homology), instanton Floer homology, invertible topological field theory, BPS states and spectral networks. This collection presents a rich blend of geometry and topology, with some theoretical physics thrown in as well, and so provides a snapshot of a vibrant and fast-moving field. Graduate students with basic preparation in topology and geometry can use this volume to learn advanced background material before being brought to the frontiers of current developments. Seasoned researchers will also benefit from the systematic presentation of exciting new advances by leaders in their fields.