Classical Solutions in Quantum Field Theory

Quantum field theory has evolved from its early beginnings as a tool for understanding the interaction of light with matter into a rather formidable technical paradigm, one that has successfully provided the mathematical underpinnings of all non-gravitational interactions. Over the eight decades since it was first contemplated the methods have become increasingly more streamlined and sophisticated, yielding new insights into our understanding of the subatomic world and our abilities to make clear and precise predictions. Some of the more elegant methods have to do with non-perturbative and semiclassical approaches to the subject. The chief players here are solitons, instantons, and anomalies. Over the past three decades there has been a steady rise in our understanding of these objects and of our ability to calculate their effects and implications for the rest of quantum field theory. This book is a welcome contribution to this subject. In 12 chapters it provides a clear synthesis of the key developments in these subjects at a level accessible to graduate students that have had an introductory course to quantum field theory. In the author's own words it provides both 'a survey and an overview of this field'. The first half of the book concentrates on solitons-–kinks, vortices, and magnetic monopoles-–and their implications for the subject. The reader is led first through the simplest models in one spatial dimension, into more sophisticated cases that required more advanced topological methods. The author does quite a nice job of introducing the various concepts as required, and beginning students should be able to get a good grasp of the subject directly from the text without having to first go through the primary literature. The middle part of the book deals with the implications of these solitons for both cosmology and for duality. While the cosmological discussion is quite nice, the discussion on BPS solitons, supersymmetry and duality is rather condensed. It is a tall order for a single chapter, relying rather heavily on additional background knowledge (for example supersymmetry) that students will not have unless they have already studied these topics in some depth. At this point students will need to be content with either appreciating the results as presented or else going to the original source material. The last four chapters of the book deal with anomalies and instantons, and again the reader is led from the simple material to the complex in a straightforward manner. Students should be able to follow the discussion both quantitatively and qualitatively, and become well-versed in understanding the 'big picture' provided they work through the material. The discussion on vacuum decay near the end of the book is quite timely given recent developments in eternal inflations, cosmic bubbles, and the like. The book contains a nice appendix that introduces students to the elements of Lie groups and Lie algebras that are required to understand a number of the ideas presented in various places in the book. There is also a short appendix on index theorems that should at least given students a basic sense of how these methods are employed in the subject at hand. This book would make a useful textbook for a mid-level graduate course. Though a bit terse in places, all of the main elements are there, in terms of both concept and methodology. It would make a fine addition to the library of any theorist in high-energy physics, gravitation, or cosmology. (book review)