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Methods of Path Integration in Modern Physics, 08/2019, Bad Honnef
25.08.2019 - 31.08.2019
Functional integral methods have been playing an increasing role in theoretical physics ever since Richard Feynman recognized that quantum mechanics can be formulated in terms of path integrals. The path integral is not only more intuitive than other approaches, it also gives rise to insights, approximations, and applications that are difficult to obtain by alternative methods. Therefore, it has been successfully employed in such diverse areas as quantum field theory, astrophysics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, quantum chemistry, condensed-matter physics, ultracold quantum gases, complex systems, and econophysics. Despite its importance, neither the unifying approach to quantum and statistical field theory in terms of the Feynman path integral, nor the resulting advanced methods for interacting quantum and statistical field theories are much covered in standard curricula. This advanced summer school on path integration techniques aims at providing students and young independent researchers with a hands-on introduction to the use of path integration techniques in modern physics and at exposing the participants of the school to methods that go beyond the standard tool box of field theory. The school will start with a basic introduction to the Feynman path integral in quantum mechanics which will serve as a basis for the subsequent lectures on more advanced methods of quantum and statistical field theory.
Physikzentrum Bad Honnef