Factorization Algebras in Quantum Field Theory: Volume 2

Factorization algebras are local-to-global objects that organize complicated information, similar to sheaves in geometry. This book discusses how they arise from interacting field theories and encode essential information, with examples from physics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 380 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Factorization algebras, remarkable entities in classical and quantum field theory, bear a resemblance to sheaves in geometry, serving as efficient organizers of intricate information. These algebras possess both local and global structures, exemplified by associative and vertex algebras. Their local structure encompasses a range of phenomena, while their global structure encompasses concepts such as Hochschild homology and conformal blocks. In this second installment, the authors elucidate the genesis of factorization algebras through the interplay of interacting field theories, encompassing both classical and quantum realms. They also demonstrate how these algebras encode vital information, including operator product expansions, Noether currents, and anomalies. Moreover, this book offers a systematic reworking of the Batalin–Vilkovisky formalism through derived geometry and factorization algebras, accompanied by concrete examples drawn from the realm of physics. These examples span a diverse spectrum, ranging from angular momentum and Virasoro symmetries to a five-dimensional gauge theory, providing a vivid illustration of the power and versatility of factorization algebras in elucidating the intricacies of physical phenomena.

Weight: 782g
ISBN-13: 9781107163157