- Title Pages
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- General References
- 1 Algebraic Preliminaries
- 2 Euclidean Path Integrals In Quantum Mechanics
- 3 Path Integrals In Quantum Mechanics: Generalizations
- 4 Stochastic Differential Equations: Langevin, Fokker–Planck Equations
- 5 Path And Functional Integrals In Quantum Statistical Physics
- 6 Quantum Evolution: From Particles To Fields
- 7 Quantum Field Theory: Functional Methods and Perturbation Theory
- 8 Relativistic Fermions
- 9 Quantum Field Theory: Divergences and Regularization
- 10 Introduction to Renormalization Theory. Renormalization Group Equations
- 11 Dimensional Regularization, Minimal Subtraction: RG Functions
- 12 Renormalization Of Composite Operators. Short Distance Expansion
- 13 Symmetries And Renormalization
- 14 The Non-Linear σ-Model: An Example Of a Non-Linear Symmetry
- 15 General Non-Linear Models In Two Dimensions
- 16 St And Brs Symmetries, Stochastic Field Equations
- 17 From Langevin Equation To Supersymmetry
- 18 Abelian Gauge Theories
- 19 Non-Abelian Gauge Theories: Introduction
- 20 The Standard Model. Anomalies
- 21 Gauge Theories: Master Equation And Renormalization
- 22 Classical And Quantum Gravity. Riemannian Manifolds And Tensors
- 23 Critical Phenomena: General Considerations
- 24 Mean Field Theory For Ferromagnetic Systems
- 25 General Renormalization Group. The Critical Theory Near Dimension Four
- 26 Scaling Behaviour In The Critical Domain
- 27 Corrections to Scaling Behaviour
- 28 Non-Magnetic Systems and The (φ<sup>2</sup>)<sup>2</sup> Field Theory
- 29 Calculation Of Universal Quantities
- 30 The <i>O</i>(<i>N</i>) Vector Model For <i>N</i> Large
- 31 Phase Transitions Near Two Dimensions
- 32 Two-Dimensional Models and Bosonization Method
- 33 The <i>O</i>(2) Classical Spin Model In Two Dimensions
- 34 Critical Properties Of Gauge Theories
- 35 Uv Fixed Points In Quantum Field Theory
- 36 Critical Dynamics
- 37 Field Theory in a Finite Geometry: Finite Size Scaling
- 38 Quantum Field Theory At Finite Temperature: Equilibrium Properties
- 39 Instantons In Quantum Mechanics
- 40 Unstable Vacua In Quantum Field Theory
- 41 Degenerate Classical Minima And Instantons
- 42 Perturbation Series At Large Orders. Summation Methods
- 43 Multi-Instantons In Quantum Mechanics
- Index
Unstable Vacua In Quantum Field Theory
Unstable Vacua In Quantum Field Theory
- Chapter:
- (p.956) 40 UNSTABLE VACUA IN QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
- Source:
- Quantum Field Theory and Critical Phenomena
- Author(s):
JEAN ZINN-JUSTIN
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This chapter begins with a semi-classical study of barrier penetration in quantum field theory, generalizing the methods explained in quantum mechanics. It has been shown that in quantum mechanics barrier penetration is associated with classical motion in imaginary time; it is thus natural here to consider quantum field theory in its euclidean formulation. In the functional representation of field theory barrier penetration in the semi-classical limit is also related to finite action solutions (instantons) of the classical field equations. The chapter first tries to characterize such solutions. It then explains how to evaluate the instanton contributions at leading order, the main new problem arising from UV divergences.
Keywords: quantum field theory, barrier penetration, instantons
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- Title Pages
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- General References
- 1 Algebraic Preliminaries
- 2 Euclidean Path Integrals In Quantum Mechanics
- 3 Path Integrals In Quantum Mechanics: Generalizations
- 4 Stochastic Differential Equations: Langevin, Fokker–Planck Equations
- 5 Path And Functional Integrals In Quantum Statistical Physics
- 6 Quantum Evolution: From Particles To Fields
- 7 Quantum Field Theory: Functional Methods and Perturbation Theory
- 8 Relativistic Fermions
- 9 Quantum Field Theory: Divergences and Regularization
- 10 Introduction to Renormalization Theory. Renormalization Group Equations
- 11 Dimensional Regularization, Minimal Subtraction: RG Functions
- 12 Renormalization Of Composite Operators. Short Distance Expansion
- 13 Symmetries And Renormalization
- 14 The Non-Linear σ-Model: An Example Of a Non-Linear Symmetry
- 15 General Non-Linear Models In Two Dimensions
- 16 St And Brs Symmetries, Stochastic Field Equations
- 17 From Langevin Equation To Supersymmetry
- 18 Abelian Gauge Theories
- 19 Non-Abelian Gauge Theories: Introduction
- 20 The Standard Model. Anomalies
- 21 Gauge Theories: Master Equation And Renormalization
- 22 Classical And Quantum Gravity. Riemannian Manifolds And Tensors
- 23 Critical Phenomena: General Considerations
- 24 Mean Field Theory For Ferromagnetic Systems
- 25 General Renormalization Group. The Critical Theory Near Dimension Four
- 26 Scaling Behaviour In The Critical Domain
- 27 Corrections to Scaling Behaviour
- 28 Non-Magnetic Systems and The (φ<sup>2</sup>)<sup>2</sup> Field Theory
- 29 Calculation Of Universal Quantities
- 30 The <i>O</i>(<i>N</i>) Vector Model For <i>N</i> Large
- 31 Phase Transitions Near Two Dimensions
- 32 Two-Dimensional Models and Bosonization Method
- 33 The <i>O</i>(2) Classical Spin Model In Two Dimensions
- 34 Critical Properties Of Gauge Theories
- 35 Uv Fixed Points In Quantum Field Theory
- 36 Critical Dynamics
- 37 Field Theory in a Finite Geometry: Finite Size Scaling
- 38 Quantum Field Theory At Finite Temperature: Equilibrium Properties
- 39 Instantons In Quantum Mechanics
- 40 Unstable Vacua In Quantum Field Theory
- 41 Degenerate Classical Minima And Instantons
- 42 Perturbation Series At Large Orders. Summation Methods
- 43 Multi-Instantons In Quantum Mechanics
- Index
