Lectures on topological quantum field theory

Journal Article · Sat Jan 10 04:00:00 EST 1998 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.54705· OSTI ID:21179646

Labastida, J M. F. ^[1]; Lozano, Carlos ^[2]

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1. Theory Division, CERN, CH-1211 Geneva 23 (Switzerland)
2. Departamento de Fisica de Particulas, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15706 Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

In these lectures we present a general introduction to topological quantum field theories. These theories are discussed in the framework of the Mathai-Quillen formalism and in the context of twisted N=2 supersymmetric theories. We discuss in detail the recent developments in Donaldson-Witten theory, obtained from the application of results based on duality for N=2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories. This involves a description of the computation of Donaldson invariants in terms of Seiberg-Witten invariants. Generalizations of Donaldson-Witten theory are reviewed, and the structure of the vacuum expectation values of their observables is analysed in the context of duality for the simplest case.

• OSTI ID: 21179646
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 419; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
CALCULATION METHODS
DUALITY
EXPECTATION VALUE
GAUGE INVARIANCE
LECTURES
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
STRING THEORY
SU-2 GROUPS
SUPERSYMMETRY
TOPOLOGY
VACUUM STATES
YANG-MILLS THEORY