Field Theories for Low-Dimensional Condensed Matter Systems

This book is especially addressed to young researchers in theoretical physics with a basic background in Field Theory and Condensed Matter Physics. The topics were chosen so as to offer the largest possible overlap between the two expertises, selecting a few key problems in Condensed Matter Theory which have been recently revisited within a field-theoretic approach. The presentation of the material is aimed not only at providing the reader with an overview of this exciting frontier area of modern theoretical physics, but also at elucidating most of the tools needed for a technical comprehen­ sion of the many papers appearing in current issues of physics journals and, hopefully, to enable the reader to tackle research problems in this area of physics. This makes the material a live creature: while not pretending it to be exhaustive, it is tutorial enough to be useful to young researchers as a starting point in anyone of the topics covered in the book.

The use of field-theoretic techniques and methods has witnessed an impressive growth in recent years. A wealth of new and important results have emerged in condensed-matter physics, mainly in connection with low-dimensional systems such as quantum Hall systems, quantum wires and quantum dots and spin chains and/or ladders. This book gathers together in a coherent and up-to-date fashion the contributions of some of the most prominent scientists in the field. It will be of great benefit to both senior scientists and young researchers active in condensed-matter theory.