No label defined (Q3147164)

The tools of many body theory represent an interdisciplinary approach in physics and shows a fast growth since its birth about 60 years ago. This volume is a part of the series ``Advances in Quantum many body theory'' and contains several lectures held on a summer school in Trieste on ``Many-Body Theories and their Applications'' in 2002. The book is not a general introduction to many body theory but is focused on several recent topics and methods in the field. The included articles provide lecture notes to introduce students and researchers into several successful many body techniques and systems. All articles are written by experts in the field. The spectrum of the volume represents a broad variety of methods, such as density functional theory, hyperspherical functions, the coupled cluster expansion and correlated basis functions; as well as their application to several material systems like magnetic systems, quantum liquids, Bose Einstein condensates and nuclear matter. The articles are self-contained and include useful references. They provide a pedagogical introduction from simple motivation of the considered field up to topics of recent research. I consider the book as a representative overview on several topics in many body theory; however, again, it is not a general introduction in the field but a focused, well balanced introduction in specialized, selected topics. The articles can be understood on the basis of the ordinary knowledge of quantum mechanics teached in university courses. My impression is that the book is very useful for students and researchers who look for an introduction in one of the specific fields or methods adressed in the book.