Thermodynamic calculations in relativistic finite-temperature quantum field theories

Abstract

A Minkowski space formalism of finite-temperature quantum field theory is used to compute static thermodynamic quantities in the one- and two-loop approximation in an elegant and straightforward way using a generalization of Weinberg's tadpole method of calculating effective potentials. Systematic diagrammatic techniques for low- and high-temperature expansions are developed. Renormalizability by zero-temperature symmetric counterterms is proven for all orders in the loop expansion and demonstrated explicitly to two loops. Many useful computational techniques applicable to general finite temperature calculations are explained.