Hamiltonian Mechanics of Gauge Systems

ISBN-13: 9780521895125 / Angielski / Twarda / 2011 / 486 str.

Lev V Prokhorov

Opis

The principles of gauge symmetry and quantization are fundamental to modern understanding of the laws of electromagnetism, weak and strong subatomic forces and the theory of general relativity. Ideal for graduate students and researchers in theoretical and mathematical physics, this unique book provides a systematic introduction to Hamiltonian mechanics of systems with gauge symmetry. The book reveals how gauge symmetry may lead to a non-trivial geometry of the physical phase space and studies its effect on quantum dynamics by path integral methods. It also covers aspects of Hamiltonian path integral formalism in detail, along with a number of related topics such as the theory of canonical transformations on phase space supermanifolds, non-commutativity of canonical quantization and elimination of non-physical variables. The discussion is accompanied by numerous detailed examples of dynamical models with gauge symmetries, clearly illustrating the key concepts.

Recenzje

"It is definitely a first choice for anybody willing to learn constrained systems."
Giuseppe Nardelli, Mathematical reviews

Spis treści

1. Hamiltonian formalism; 2. Hamiltonian path integrals; 3. Dynamical systems with constraints; 4. Quantization of constrained systems; 5. Phase space in gauge theories; 6. Path integrals in gauge theories; 7. Confinement; 8. Supplementary material; Index.