This unique book describes quantum field theory completely within the context of path integrals. With its utility in a variety of fields in physics, the subject matter is primarily developed within the context of quantum mechanics before going into specialized areas.

Adding new material keenly requested by readers, this second edition is an important expansion of the popular first edition. Two extra chapters cover path integral quantization of gauge theories and anomalies, and a new section extends the supersymmetry chapter, where singular potentials in supersymmetric systems are described.

Contents:

• Path Integrals and Quantum Mechanics
• Harmonic Oscillator
• Generating Functional
• Path Integrals for Fermions
• Supersymmetry
• Semi-Classical Methods
• Path Integral for the Double Well
• Path Integral for Relativistic Theories
• Effective Action
• Invariances and Their Consequences
• Gauge Theories
• Anomalies
• Systems at Finite Temperature
• Ising Model

“This book is well-written and very readable. The book is a self-consistent introduction to the path integral formalism and no prior knowledge of it is required, although the reader should be familiar with quantum mechanics. This book is an excellent guide for the reader who wants a good and detailed introduction to the path integral and most of its important application in physics. I especially recommend it for graduate students in theoretical physics and for researchers who want to be introduced to the powerful path integral methods.”

“… this volume gives a clear and neat account by way of practical use. Accordingly, it will be a useful compact textbook for graduate students to learn quantum field theory by path integral approach, especially, to get quickly an overview of its technical side so as to know the applicability of its methods to various areas.”