Geometry, Topology and Physics

This book provides an introduction to the ideas and techniques of differential geometry and topology. It starts with a brief survey of quantum field theory, gauge theory, general relativity, vector spaces, and topology. Using many illustrations, exercises, and problems, the author demonstrates more elaborate concepts of topology and geometry, including fiber bundles, characteristic classes, and index theorems. New to this second edition is the proof of the index theorem in terms of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. The final two chapters examine anomalies in gauge field theories and the analysis of Polakov's bosonic string theory from the geometrical point of view.

Despite the extensive use of the concepts of topology, differential geometry and other areas of mathematics in developments in theoretical physics, there are few books accessible to postgraduate students in physics. This book seeks to fill the gap between advanced level and introductory books.

Autorentext
Mikio Nakahara

Klappentext

Differential geometry and topology have become essential tools for many theoretical physicists. In particular, they are indispensable in theoretical studies of condensed matter physics, gravity, and particle physics. Geometry, Topology and Physics, Second Edition introduces the ideas and techniques of differential geometry and topology at a level suitable for postgraduate students and researchers in these fields. The second edition of this popular and established text incorporates a number of changes designed to meet the needs of the reader and reflect the development of the subject. The book features a considerably expanded first chapter, reviewing aspects of path integral quantization and gauge theories. Chapter 2 introduces the mathematical concepts of maps, vector spaces, and topology. The following chapters focus on more elaborate concepts in geometry and topology and discuss the application of these concepts to liquid crystals, superfluid helium, general relativity, and bosonic string theory. Later chapters unify geometry and topology, exploring fiber bundles, characteristic classes, and index theorems. New to this second edition is the proof of the index theorem in terms of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. The final two chapters are devoted to the most fascinating applications of geometry and topology in contemporary physics, namely the study of anomalies in gauge field theories and the analysis of Polakov's bosonic string theory from the geometrical point of view. Geometry, Topology and Physics, Second Edition is an ideal introduction to differential geometry and topology for postgraduate students and researchers in theoretical and mathematical physics.

Inhalt
Quantum Physics. Mathematical Preliminaries. Homology Groups. Homotopy Groups. Manifolds. DeRham Cohomology Groups. Riemannian Geometry. Complex Manifolds. Fibre Bundles. Connections on Fibre Bundles. Characteristic Classes. Index Theorems. Anomalies in Gauge Field Theories. Bosonic String Theory. References. Index.