In a Nutshell
About This Book
A concise, modern textbook on group theory written especially for physicists Although group theory is a mathematical subject, it is indispensable to many areas of modern theoretical physics, from atomic physics to condensed matter physics, particle physics to string theory. In particular, it is essential for an understanding of the fundamental forces. Yet until now, what has been missing is a modern, accessible, and self-contained textbook on the subject written especially for physicists. Group Theory in a Nutshell for Physicists fills this gap, providing a user-friendly and classroom-tested text that focuses on those aspects of group theory physicists most need to know. From the basic intuitive notion of a group, A. Zee takes readers all the way up to how theories based on gauge groups could unify three of the four fundamental forces. He also includes a concise review of the linear algebra needed for group theory, making the book ideal for self-study.
- Provides physicists with a modern and accessible introduction to group theory
- Covers applications to various areas of physics, including field theory, particle physics, relativity, and much more
- Topics include finite group and character tables; real, pseudoreal, and complex representations; Weyl, Dirac, and Majorana equations; the expanding universe and group theory; grand unification; and much more
- The essential textbook for students and an invaluable resource for researchers
- Features a brief, self-contained treatment of linear algebra
- An online illustration package is available to professors
- Solutions manual (available only to professors)
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- A Brief Review of Linear Algebra
- Part I: Groups: Discrete or Continuous, Finite or Infinite
- Part II: Representing Group Elements by Matrices
- Part III: Group Theory in a Quantum World
- Part IV: Tensor, Covering, and Manifold
- Part V: Group Theory in the Microscopic World
- Part VI: Roots, Weights, and Classification of Lie Algebras
- Part VII: From Galileo to Majorana
- Part VIII: The Expanding Universe
- Part IX: The Gauged Universe
- Epilogue
- Timeline of Some of the People Mentioned
- Solutions to Selected Exercises
- Bibliography
- Index
- Collection of Formulas