Quantum Integrable Systems

The study of integrable systems has opened new horizons in classical physics over the past few decades, particularly in the subatomic world. Yet despite the field now having reached a level of maturity, very few books provide an introduction to the field accessible to specialists and nonspecialists alike, and none offer a systematic survey of the more recent advances. This book presents and clarifies the developments of the last ten years in quantum integrable systems. After a preliminary discussion of the fundamentals of classical nonlinear integrable systems, the authors explore the quantum domain. Their approach emphasizes physical systems and the use of concrete examples, and they take care to establish the relationship between new and older methods. The presentation includes the first comprehensive discussion of the quantum Backlund transformation Q-operator and various techniques related to algebraic Bethe Ansatz that are not available elsewhere in book form. In Quantum Integrable Systems, researchers active in the field have an up-to-date source for recent advances and new techniques, and nonspecialists finally have an accessible introduction to the concepts and basic tools they need to explore and exploit the wide-ranging applicability of the subject.