This book introduces a rapidly growing new research area — the study of dynamical properties of elementary fields. The methods used in this field range from algebraic topology to parallel computer programming. The main aim of this research is to understand the behavior of elementary particles and fields under extreme circumstances, first of all at high temperature and energy density generated in the largest accelerators of the world and supposed to be present in the early evolution of our Universe shortly after the Big Bang. In particular, chaos is rediscovered in a new appearance in these studies: in gauge theories the well-known divergence of initially adjacent phase space trajectories leads over into a quasi-thermal distribution of energy with a saturated average distance of different field configurations. This particular behavior is due to the compactness of the gauge group. Generally this book is divided into two main parts: the first part mainly deals with the “classical” discovery of chaos in gauge field theory while the second part presents methods and research achievements in recent years. One chapter is devoted entirely to the presentation and discussion of computational problems. The major theme, returning again and again throughout the book, is of course the phenomenon with a thousand faces — chaos itself. This book is intended to be a research book which introduces the reader to a new research field, presenting the basic new ideas in detail but just briefly touching on the problems of other related fields, like perturbative or lattice gauge theory, or dissipative chaos. The terminology of these related fields are, however, used. Exercises are also included in this book. They deepen the reader's understanding of special issues and at the same time offer more information on related problems. For the convenience of the fast reader, solutions are presented right after the problems. Contents:IntroductionChaotic DynamicsChaos in Gauge TheoryTopological Field TheoriesLattice Gauge TheoryHamiltonian Lattice Gauge TheoryComputing SU(2) Gauge TheoryChaos in Lattice Gauge TheoryApplications and ExtensionsBeyond the Classical TheoryChaos and Confinement Readership: Nonlinear scientists, high energy physicists, mathematicians and engineers. keywords:Non-Abelian Gauge Fields;Periodic Orbits;Lyapunov Exponents;Classical and Quantum Yang–Mills Mechanics;Higgs Mechanism;Self-Thermalization via Chaos;Chaos and Confinement;Quark-Gluon Plasma;Lattice Gauge Theory;Monte Carlo Methods;Physics;Field Theory;Chaos;Gauge;Lattice;Thermalization;Entropy;Computing “This book is a good place to approach the research area of chaos applied to gauge field theories.” Mathematical Reviews

Introduction to Gauge Field Theory provides comprehensive coverage of modern relativistic quantum field theory, emphasizing the details of actual calculations rather than the phenomenology of the applications. Forming a foundation in the subject, the book assumes knowledge of relativistic quantum mechanics, but not of quantum field theory. The book is ideal for graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and researchers in the field of particle physics.

Acquaints readers with the main concepts and literature of elementary particle physics and quantum field theory. In particular, the book is concerned with the elaboration of gauge field theories in nuclear physics; the possibility of creating fundamental new states of matter such as an extended quark-gluon plasma in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions; and the relation of gauge theories to the creation and evolution of the universe. Divided into three parts, it opens with an introduction to the general principles of relativistic quantum field theory followed by the essential ingredients of gauge fields for weak and electromagnetic interactions, quantum chromodynamics and strong interactions. The third part is concerned with the interface between modern elementary particle physics and "applied disciplines" such as nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology. Includes references and numerous exercises.

First Published in 2018. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an Informa company.

This book provides a broad introduction to gauge field theories formulated on a space-time lattice, and in particular of QCD. It serves as a textbook for advanced graduate students, and also provides the reader with the necessary analytical and numerical techniques to carry out research on his own. Although the analytic calculations are sometimes quite demanding and go beyond an introduction, they are discussed in sufficient detail, so that the reader can fill in the missing steps. The book also introduces the reader to interesting problems which are currently under intensive investigation. Whenever possible, the main ideas are exemplified in simple models, before extending them to realistic theories. Special emphasis is placed on numerical results obtained from pioneering work. These are displayed in numerous figures.

An expanded and up-dated book examining gauge theories and their symmetries.