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Before I start a PhD in Quantum Information I would like to study a bit of statistical physics. In particular I am interested in superfluids, critical phenomena, topological phases of matter and all that. Note that I am a theoretical physicist, so I am interested in the role of QFT (statistical field theory). Is there any book that covers all of this? Also I would like something not too thorough. I just want the big picture for now. Even a nice review would do.

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Xiao-Gang Wen's 'Quantum Field Theory of Many-Body Systems' is probably a good place to start. It will give you some 'big picture' information, but asking for something 'not too thorough' is likely to leave you with little. Xiao-Gang's book is excellent, but it will require that you step up to it. The advantage to that is that you'll need to step up to it anyway and it's excellent for helping do that.

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For a very clear, not too difficult, not too thorough (and explained specially good for the author being a physicist) undergrad statistical mechanics book, Tong's Lectures should be of use. The last chapter is on phase transitions.

Given that you are specially interested in statistical field theory, Tong also has lectures on that specific subject, with the same caracteristics as the other lectures. They specifically start with "These lectures are aimed at beginning graduate students".

Also, in the first few pages of all his lectures, Tong gives a list of books he likes on the subject. I've found his recommendations very helpful. You could check those books too.

Both lectures are free to download on his webpage. Also, at the end of both references there is recommended internet material like videos of lectures, etc.

References

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