The methods of coupled quantum field theory, which had great initial success in relativistic elementary particle physics and have subsequently played a major role in the extensive development of non-relativistic quantum many-particle theory and condensed matter physics, are at the core of this book. As an introduction to the subject, this presentation is intended to facilitate delivery of the material in an easily digestible form to students at a relatively early stage of their scientific development, specifically advanced undergraduates (rather than second or third year graduate students), wh ... More

The methods of coupled quantum field theory, which had great initial success in relativistic elementary particle physics and have subsequently played a major role in the extensive development of non-relativistic quantum many-particle theory and condensed matter physics, are at the core of this book. As an introduction to the subject, this presentation is intended to facilitate delivery of the material in an easily digestible form to students at a relatively early stage of their scientific development, specifically advanced undergraduates (rather than second or third year graduate students), who are mathematically strong physics majors. The mechanism to accomplish this is the early introduction of variational calculus with particle sources and the Schwinger Action Principle, accompanied by Green’s functions, and, in addition, a brief derivation of quantum mechanical ensemble theory introducing statistical thermodynamics. Important achievements of the theory in condensed matter and quantum statistical physics are reviewed in detail to help develop research capability. These include the derivation of coupled field Green’s function equations of motion for a model electron-hole-phonon system, extensive discussions of retarded, thermodynamic and non-equilibrium Green’s functions, and their associated spectral representations and approximation procedures. Phenomenology emerging in these discussions includes quantum plasma dynamic, nonlocal screening, plasmons, polaritons, linear electromagnetic response, excitons, polarons, phonons, magnetic Landau quantization, van der Waals interactions, chemisorption, etc. Considerable attention is also given to low-dimensional and nanostructured systems, including quantum wells, wires, dots and superlattices, as well as materials having exceptional conduction properties such as superconductors, superfluids and graphene.