title: Semiclassical approximation to the partition function of a particle in D dimensions
abstract: We use a path integral formalism to derive a semiclassical series for the partition function of a particle in D dimensions. In particular we analyze 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1547, USA.
authors.lastname: de Carvalho CA
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Fraga
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Joras