This book discusses the physical phases of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) in ordinary environments, as well as in extreme environments of high temperatures and high baryon number. Under such extreme conditions, new phases are thought to exist: the quark-gluon plasma and colour superconductivity. After introducing lattice-gauge theory, beginning with fundamentals and reaching important developments, this book emphasises the application of QCD to the study of matter in extreme environments through a host of methods, including lattice-gauge theory, lower dimensional model field theories and effective Lagrangians. Suitable for graduate students and researchers entering the field of lattice-gauge theory, heavy ion collisions, nuclear theory or high energy phenomenology, as well as astrophysicists interested in the phases of nuclear matter and its impact on ideas of the interiors of dense stars. It is suitable for use as a textbook on lattice-gauge theory, effective Lagrangians and field theoretic modelling for nonperturbative phenomena in QCD.

Reference for graduate students, covering the physical phases of quantum chromodynamics (QCD).

About the Author
John Kogut obtained his PhD from Stanford University in 1971. He was nominated for the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize, for the International Scientists' Boycott of the Strategic Defense Initiative. He is currently Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is co-author of over 200 original papers in elementary particle, high-energy and condensed matter physics, and is the author of one previous book. Mikhail Sephanov obtained his PhD from the University of Oxford in 1994. He was a Postdoctoral Research Associate University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign from 1994 to 1997 and then spent two years at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is presently Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and RHIC Fellow. His research interests lie in particle and nuclear physics, quantum field theory on the lattice, matter under extreme conditions, and heavy-ion collisions.

Reviews
Review of the hardback: 'The line of argument is elegantly presented and should be appealing and useful to students who want to enter the field and learn the basics of the QCD phase diagram ... The Phases of Quantum Chromodynamics gives a well-structured overview of the phases of QCD under extreme conditions ... for scientists working in the field, the book is a must. And for those who want to learn more about the fascinating world of QCD under extreme conditions, it is a very good starting point.' Physics Today



Book Information
ISBN 9780521143387
Author John B. Kogut
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 600g
Dimensions(mm) 244mm * 170mm * 20mm