Lectures on Topological Quantum Field Theory
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چکیده
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 analyzed in the context of duality for the simplest case. Lectures given at the workshop “Trends in Theoretical Physics”, CERN-Santiago de Compostela-La Plata Meeting, held in La Plata, Argentina, April 28-May 6 1997.
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تاریخ انتشار 1997