Collective phenomena

Abstract

Introduction/purpose: Quantum field theory techniques are able to describe precisely, inter alia, collective phenomena of statistical and solid state physics. Method: The path integral method with a Wick rotation shows its complete analogy with the partition function of statistical mechanics. Results: The Landau-Ginzburg phenomenology successfully describes collective phenomena such as spontaneous magnetization and super-conductivity. Conclusions: Symmetry breaking phenomena could give macroscopic results.

Keywords

• vacuum energy
• symmetry breaking
• landau–ginzburg model