Quantum Phase Transitions

by Subir Sachdev

Overview

Describing the physical properties of quantum materials near critical points with long-range many-body quantum entanglement, this book introduces readers to the basic theory of quantum phases, their phase transitions and their observable properties. This second edition begins with a new section suitable for an introductory course on quantum phase transitions, assuming no prior knowledge of quantum field theory. It also contains several new chapters to cover important recent advances, such as the Fermi gas near unitarity, Dirac fermions, Fermi liquids and their phase transitions, quantum magnetism, and solvable models obtained from string theory. After introducing the basic theory, it moves on to a detailed description of the canonical quantum-critical phase diagram at non-zero temperatures. Finally, a variety of more complex models are explored. This book is ideal for graduate students and researchers in condensed matter physics and particle and string theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521514682
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/07/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	516
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 9.80(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Subir Sachdev is Professor of Physics at Harvard University and holds a Distinguished Research Chair at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. His research has focused on a variety of quantum materials and especially on their quantum phase transitions.

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction: 1. Basic concepts; 2. Overview; Part II. A First Course: 3. Classical phase transitions; 4. The renormalization group; 5. The quantum Ising model; 6. The quantum rotor model; 7. Correlations, susceptibilities, and the quantum critical point; 8. Broken symmetries; 9. Boson Hubbard model; Part III. Non-zero Temperatures: 10. The Ising chain in a transverse field; 11. Quantum rotor models: large-N limit; 12. The d = 1, O(N ≥ 3) rotor models; 13. The d = 2, O(N ≥ 3) rotor models; 14. Physics close to and above the upper-critical dimension; 15. Transport in d = 2; Part IV. Other Models: 16. Dilute Fermi and Bose gases; 17. Phase transitions of Dirac fermions; 18. Fermi liquids, and their phase transitions; 19. Heisenberg spins: ferromagnets and antiferromagnets; 20. Spin chains: bosonization; 21. Magnetic ordering transitions of disordered systems; 22. Quantum spin glasses; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Of the First Edition:
"Taken as a whole, this book is something of a theoretical masterpiece. With its tight organization, the book leads the determined (and theoretically inclined) reader on a tour encompassing some of the most challenging yet beautiful topics in contemporary theoretical physics...Virtually every chapter contains a theoretical 'gem'...The equations are manipulated with flair and elegance that are testimony to Sachdev's talent as one of the world's premier theorists."
Physics Today

"With this very useful pedagogical supplement, I expect this second incarnation of Sachdev's volume to remain an indispensable reference and crucial tool for researchers in this field, and an invaluable resource for instructors preparing their advanced graduate courses related to this topic. Sachdev's revised and expanded textbook contains a wealth of information, both on quantum-critical phenomena and the mathematical tools needed to describe them theoretically, and will certainly remain a prominent if not the standard reference to the subject for both novices and experienced active researchers in the field."
Uwe C. Tauber, Mathematical Reviews

"The book is well written from a pedagogical point of view and hence suitable for non-specialists. On the other hand, it can be used (some chapters) by graduate students as well."
Farruh Mukhamedov (Kuantan)

"… a timely and well-informed update to the subject and provides graduate and advanced students with enough material to understand and tackle these very interesting systems."
Contemporary Physics

From the Publisher