1. Introduction This paper has three parts. The first part is a simplified presentation of the basic ideas of the renormalization group and the ε expansion applied to critical phenomena , following roughly a summary exposition given in 1972 1. The second part is an account of the history (as I remember it) of work leading up to the papers in I971-1972 on the renormalization group. Finally, some of the developments since 197 1 will be summarized, and an assessment for the future given.

The renormalization group and critical phenomena

Hydrodynamics and phases of flocks

We present a new method for rigorously proving the existence of phase transitions. In particular, we prove that phase transitions occur in (φ·φ) 3 2 quantum field theories and classical, isotropic Heisenberg models in 3 or more dimensions. The central element of the proof is that for fixed ferromagnetic nearest neighbor coupling, the absolutely continuous part of the two point function ink space is bounded by 0(k−2). When applicable, our results can be fairly accurate numerically. For example, our lower bounds on the critical temperature in the three dimensional Ising (resp. classical Heisenberg) model agrees with that obtained by high temperature expansions to within 14% (resp. a factor of 9%).

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Infrared Bounds, Phase Transitions and Continuous Symmetry Breaking

This motivating textbook gives a friendly, rigorous introduction to fundamental concepts in equilibrium statistical mechanics, covering a selection of specific models, including the Curie–Weiss and Ising models, the Gaussian free field, O(n) models, and models with Kac interactions. Using classical concepts such as Gibbs measures, pressure, free energy, and entropy, the book exposes the main features of the classical description of large systems in equilibrium, in particular the central problem of phase transitions. It treats such important topics as the Peierls argument, the Dobrushin uniqueness, Mermin–Wagner and Lee–Yang theorems, and develops from scratch such workhorses as correlation inequalities, the cluster expansion, Pirogov–Sinai Theory, and reflection positivity. Written as a self-contained course for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students, the detailed explanations, large collection of exercises (with solutions), and appendix of mathematical results and concepts also make it a handy reference for researchers in related areas.

Statistical Mechanics of Lattice Systems: a Concrete Mathematical Introduction

The subject of this book is equilibrium statistical mechanics, in particular the theory of critical phenomena, and quantum field theory. The central theme is the use of random-walk representations as a tool to derive correlation inequalities. The consequences of these inequalities for critical-exponent theory are expounded in detail. The book contains some previously unpublished results. It addresses both the researcher and the graduate student in modern statistical mechanics and quantum field theory.

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Random Walks, Critical Phenomena, and Triviality in Quantum Field Theory

A classical inequality giving lower bounds for fluctuations about ordered states is derived. The inequality, analogous to a quantum result due to Bogoliubov, is established by a purely classical argument which makes explicit the nature of the surface boundary conditions required, a point which is rather obscure in the quantum derivations. As in the quantum case the inequality is useful in excluding certain kinds of phase transitions in one‐ and two‐dimensional systems. This is illustrated for several kinds of classical spin systems.

N. D. Mermin

Papers

Absence of Ordering in Certain Classical Systems