Statistical theory of fields - Volume 2

The author addresses the statistical theory of fields which is the result of a reviewing of the relativistic theory of quantum fields, and is notably used in different areas from high energy physics to statistical physics. This second volume more particularly addresses the approach and applications of statistical physics to the quantum theory of fields. After an introduction to critical phenomena, the author details the activity of the Wilson re-standardisation group within the real space, and its relationships with the disturbance re-standardisation group. Applications to the calculation of critical exponents are presented for some cases. The author also addresses spin models and non linear sigma models, the role of topological excitations (vortex), the XY model, and the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. He introduces simple models of polymers, quantum spin chains, wetting phenomena, and flexible membranes. He also addresses finite size effects in critical systems, and introduces scale invariance and conformal invariance, more particularly in two dimensions