These lectures review the recently developed vector coherent state method. The book is an excellent introduction to the field because of the many examples treated in detail, in particular those from nuclear and particle physics. These calculations will be welcomed by researchers and graduate students. The author reviews the concepts of coherent states of the Heisenberg algebra and shows then that the vector coherent state method maps the higher symmetry algebra into an n-dimensional harmonic oscillator algebra coupled with a simple intrinsic symmetry algebra. The formulation involves some vector (or analogous higher symmetry) coupling of the intrinsic algebra with the n-dimensional oscillator algebra, leading to matrix representations and Wigner coefficients of the higher symmetry algebra expressed in terms of simple calculable functions and recoupling coefficients for the simpler intrinsic algebra.

Inhaltsangabe1. Introduction.- 2. The vector coherent state method.- 3. Detailed examples.- 4. Other applications.- 5. The calculation of SU(3) Wigner coefficients.- 6. An indirect application of vector coherent state theory: Construction of a group theoretically sound orthonormal Wigner supermultiplet basis.