Khanna F.C. et al. Thermal Quantum Field Theory. Algebraic Aspects and Applications

World Scientific, 2009 — 484p. — ISBN: 978-981-4470-73-5 (eBook), 978-981-281-887-4 (Hardcover).This monograph presents recent developments in quantum field theory at finite temperature. By using Lie groups, ideas from thermal theory are considered with concepts of symmetry, allowing for applications not only to quantum field theory but also to transport theory, quantum optics and statistical mechanics. This includes an analysis of geometrical and topological aspects of spatially confined systems with applications to the Casimir effect, superconductivity and phase transitions. Finally, some developments in open systems are also considered. The book provides a unified picture of the fundamental aspects in thermal quantum field theory and their applications, and is important to the field as a result, since it combines several diverse ideas that lead to a better understanding of different areas of physics.General Principles:
Elements of Thermodynamics
Elements of Statistical Mechanics
Partition Function and Path Integral
Zero Temperature Interacting Fields
Thermal Fields:
Thermofield Dynamics: Kinematical Symmetry Algebraic Basis
Thermal Oscillators: Bosons and Fermions
Thermal Poincaré and Galilei Groups
Thermal Propagator
Scattering Process at Finite Temperature
Topics on Renormalization Theory
Ward-Takahashi Relations and Gauge Symmetry
Applications to Quantum Optics:
Thermalized States of a Field Mode
Nonclassical Properties of Thermal Quantum States
SU(2) and SU(1,1) Systems: Entanglement
Compactified Fields:
Compactified Fields
Casimir Effect for the Electromagnetic Field
Casimir Effect for Fermions
Compactified λφ4 Theory
Phase Transitions in Confined Systems: Application to Superconducting Films
Second-Order Phase Transition in Wires and Grains
First-Order Phase Transitions in Confined Systems
Applications to Open Systems:
Thermo-Algebras in Phase Space: Quantum and Classical Systems
Real-Time Method for Nonequilibrium Quantum Mechanics
Dressed and Bare State Approaches to the Thermalization Process