Renormalization group and fixed points. In quantum field theory (Q1946781)

The renormalization group (RG) refers to a mathematical technique allowing investigation of changes in scale, whether in statistical physics or in quantum field theory. The RG theory, as applied to critical phenomena, was developed by Kadanoff, Ken Wilson, Kogut, Wegener and many others in the years 1974-2000. The RG is intimately related to the concept of scale invariance and the Callan-Symanzik equation. The RG equations appear as a consequence of the necessity of renormalization of Lagrangian field theories. The present short monograph stresses Wilson's version of the RG and the importance of fixed points in those theories. It starts with scalar fields and then passes to gauge theories and running couplings. Finally, a short description SUSY is provided with the beta function of Novikov, Shifman, Vainshtein and Zahakarov.