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Scalar Fields at Zero and Finite Temperature

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Statistical Approach to Quantum Field Theory

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics ((LNP,volume 992))

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Abstract

Scalar fields describe spinless particles and are often introduced and discussed in introductory textbooks to introduce novel concepts and techniques in quantum field theory. Even more important than their educational value is their role in the electroweak theory, where a scalar field interacts with the fields of leptons, quarks, and gauge bosons. The scalar field is needed for the Higgs mechanism which is essential to explain the mass generation for fermions and electroweak gauge bosons.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    It should not be confused with the n-point Schwinger functions at zero temperature.

  2. 2.

    In non-linear sigma models, the coupling to the source may look differently.

  3. 3.

    However, for real x the integral (5.75) oscillates around the exponential fit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Theoretical Physics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany

    Andreas Wipf

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  1. Andreas Wipf
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Wipf, A. (2021). Scalar Fields at Zero and Finite Temperature. In: Statistical Approach to Quantum Field Theory. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 992. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83263-6_5

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