Overview

The review is devoted to an investigation of the physical vacuum properties of quantum electrodynamics (QED), relying on the perturbative effective action approach. By probing the vacuum with external perturbations, its response is analyzed after averaging over the high-energy degrees of freedom. The book is written for scientists active in the field as well as for students who want to become familiar with the more advanced computational strategies of external-field problems which are partly outlined in great detail. Schwinger's proper-time method is the backbone of the book. Many recent results are presented, while others which are widespread in the literature are rederived in a unifying and compact way. The book ranges from full quantum theory to quantum-induced non-linear electrodynamics with its variety of applications to light propagation, photon splitting and light-by-light scattering. A special emphasis is put on systems at finite temperature.

Full Product Details

Author:   Walter Dittrich ,  Holger Gies
Publisher:   Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG
Imprint:   Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
Edition:   Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2000
Volume:   166
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.30cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.454kg
ISBN:  

9783642086861

ISBN 10:   3642086861
Pages:   244
Publication Date:   08 December 2010
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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