Quantum field theory is hardly comprehensible without path integrals: the goal of this book is to introduce students to this topic within the context of ordinary quantum mechanics and non-relativistic many-body theory, before facing the problems associated with the more involved quantum field theory formalism.

... very well written ... and not only pedagogically useful, but also useful to the experienced practitioner.

Autorentext
Professor Jean Zinn-Justin Head of Department, Dapnia, CEA/Saclay, France

Inhalt

1. Gaussian integrals; 2. Path integral in quantum mechanics; 3. Partition function and spectrum; 4. Classical and quantum statistical physics; 5. Path integrals and quantization; 6. Path integral and holomorphic formalism; 7. Path integrals: fermions; 8. Barrier penetration: semi-classical approximation; 9. Quantum evolution and scattering matrix; 10. Path integrals in phase space; QUANTUM MECHANICS: MINIMAL BACKGROUND; A1 Hilbert space and operators; A2 Quantum evolution, symmetries and density matrix; A3 Position and momentum. Scrodinger equation