Statistical Field Theory (M16)

R R Horgan
This course is an introduction to the renormalization group, the basis for a modern understanding of field theory, and the construction of effective field theories. The discussion is concerned
with statistical systems including their relationship with quantum field theory in its Euclidean
formulation.
The phenomenology of phase transitions is reviewed, leading to the introduction of the theory of
critical phenomena. Landau-Ginsburg theory and mean field theory are presented and applied
to the Ising model. The classification of phase transitions and their relationship with critical
points is presented, and the renormalization group is introduced first in the context of the
soluble 1D Ising model and then in general. The renormalization group is used for calculating
properties of systems near a phase transition, for example in the Ising and Gaussian models,
and the concepts of critical exponents, anomalous dimensions, and scaling are discussed.
The idea of the continuum limit for models controlled by a critical point and the relationship
with continuum quantum field theory is elucidated.
Perturbation theory is introduced for the scalar field model with interactions and some example
calculations are presented.
Books
1. J M Yeomans, Statistical Mechanics of Phase Transitions, Oxford Scientific Publishing
(1992)
2. L D Landau and E M Lifshitz, Statistical Physics, Pergamon Press (1996)
3. J Cardy, Scaling and Renormalization in Statistical Physics, Cambridge Lecture Notes in
Physics (1996)
4. J J Binney, N J Dowrick, A J Fisher, and M E J Newman, The Theory of Critical
Phenomena, Oxford University Press (1992)
5. D Amit and V Martn-Mayor, Field Theory, the Renormalization Group, and Critical
Phenomena, 3rd edition, World Scientific (2005)
6. C Itzykson and J-M Drouffe, Statistical Field Theory, Vols. 1-2, Cambridge University
Press (1991)
Pre-requisites
background knowledge of Statistical Mechanics at an undergraduate level is essential. Although
not a formal prerequisite, attendance at the Part III course Quantum Field Theory is a considerable advantage and strongly advised.
Additional support
Three examples sheets will be provided and three associated examples classes will be given.
There will be a one-hour revision class in the Easter Term.