Loop groups, the simplest class of infinite dimensional Lie groups, have recently been the subject of intense study. This book gives a complete and self-contained account of what is known about them from a geometrical and analytical point of view, drawing together the many branches of mathematics from which current theory developed--algebra, geometry, analysis, combinatorics, and the mathematics of quantum field theory. The authors discuss Loop groups' applications to simple particle physics and explain how the mathematics used in connection with Loop groups is itself interesting and valuable, thereby making this work accessible to mathematicians in many fields.

Eleven of the fourteen invited speakers at a symposium held by the Oxford Mathematical Institute in June 1972 have revised their contributions and submitted them for publication in this volume. The present papers do not necessarily closely correspond with the original talks, as it was the intention of the volume editor to make this book of mathematical rather than historical interest. The contributions will be of value to workers in topology in universities and polytechnics.

Loop groups are the simplest class of infinite dimensional Lie groups, and have important applications in elementary particle physics. They have recently been studied intensively, and the theory is now well developed, involving ideas from several areas of mathematics - algebra, geometry, analysis, and combinatorics. The mathematics of quantum field theory is an important ingredient. This book gives a complete and self-contained account of what is known about the subject and it is written from a geometrical and analytical point of view, with quantum field theory very much in mind. The mathematics used in connection with loop groups is interesting and important beyond its immediate applications and the authors have tried to make the book accessible to mathematicians in many fields. The hardback edition was published in December 1986.