出版社：SISSA, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati
摘要：In the framework of the renormalization-group (RG) approach, critical phenomena can be investigated
by studying the RG flow of multi-parameter F4 field theories with an N-component
fundamental field, containing up to 4th-order polynomials of the field. Some physically interesting
systems require F4 field theories with several quadratic and quartic parameters, depending
essentially on their symmetry and symmetry-breaking pattern at the transition. Results for their
RG flow apply to disorder and/or frustrated systems, anisotropic magnetic systems, density wave
models, competing orderings giving rise to multicritical behaviors.
The general properties of the RG flow in multi-parameter F4 field theories are discussed. An
overview of field-theoretical results for some physically interesting cases is presented, and compared
with other theoretical approaches and experiments. Finally, this RG approach is applied to
investigate the nature of the finite-temperature transition of QCD with Nf light quarks.
