Matrix Algebra For Physicists

Lattice gauge theory is a fairly young research area in Theoretical Particle Physics. It is of great promise as it offers the framework for an ab-initio treatment of the nonperturbative features of strong interactions. Ever since its adolescence the simulation of quantum chromodynamics has attracted the interest of numerical analysts and there is growing interdisciplinary engage­ ment between theoretical physicists and applied mathematicians to meet the grand challenges of this approach. This volume contains contributions of the interdisciplinary workshop "Nu­ merical Challenges in Lattice Quantum Chromo dynamics" that the Institute of Applied Computer Science (IAI) at Wuppertal University together with the Von-Neumann-Institute-for-Computing (NIC) organized in August 1999. The purpose of the workshop was to offer a platform for the exchange of key ideas between lattice QCD and numerical analysis communities. In this spirit leading experts from both fields have put emphasis to transcend the barriers between the disciplines. The meetings was focused on the following numerical bottleneck problems: A standard topic from the infancy of lattice QCD is the computation of Green's functions, the inverse of the Dirac operator. One has to solve huge sparse linear systems in the limit of small quark masses, corresponding to high condition numbers of the Dirac matrix. Closely related is the determination of flavor-singlet observables which came into focus during the last years.

This text presents the mathematical concepts of Grassmann variables and the method of supersymmetry to a broad audience of physicists interested in applying these tools to disordered and critical systems, as well as related topics in statistical physics. Based on many courses and seminars held by the author, one of the pioneers in this field, the reader is given a systematic and tutorial introduction to the subject matter.

This book is designed for students in engineering, physics and mathematics. The material can be taught from the beginning of the third academic year. It could also be used for self­ study, given its pedagogical structure and the numerous solved problems which prepare for modem physics and technology. One of the original aspects of this work is the development together of the basic theory of tensors and the foundations of continuum mechanics. Why two books in one? Firstly, Tensor Analysis provides a thorough introduction of intrinsic mathematical entities, called tensors, which is essential for continuum mechanics. This way of proceeding greatly unifies the various subjects. Only some basic knowledge of linear algebra is necessary to start out on the topic of tensors. The essence of the mathematical foundations is introduced in a practical way. Tensor developments are often too abstract, since they are either aimed at algebraists only, or too quickly applied to physicists and engineers. Here a good balance has been found which allows these extremes to be brought closer together. Though the exposition of tensor theory forms a subject in itself, it is viewed not only as an autonomous mathematical discipline, but as a preparation for theories of physics and engineering. More specifically, because this part of the work deals with tensors in general coordinates and not solely in Cartesian coordinates, it will greatly help with many different disciplines such as differential geometry, analytical mechanics, continuum mechanics, special relativity, general relativity, cosmology, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, etc ..