Semiclassical approximation to the partition function of a particle in D dimensions

Abstract

We use a path integral formalism to derive the semiclassical series for the partition function of a particle in D dimensions. We analyze in particular the case of attractive central potentials, obtaining explicit expressions for the fluctuation determinant and for the semiclassical two-point function in the special cases of the harmonic and single-well quartic anharmonic oscillators. The specific heat of the latter is compared to precise WKB estimates. We conclude by discussing the possible extension of our results to field theories.

Comments: REVTEX,14 pages, 2 figures, final version to appear in Phys. Rev. E