This book introduces a variety of aspects in nonperturbative Quantum
Chromodynamics (QCD), focusing on the topological objects present in
gauge theories. These objects, like magnetic monopoles, instantons,
instanto-dysons, sphalerons, QCD flux tubes, etc, are first introduced
individually and, later, treated collectively. As ensembles, they
produce various phenomena that can be modeled numerically in lattice
gauge theories and such collective effects, produced on the lattice, are
extensively discussed in some chapters. In turn, the notion of duality,
which is crucial in modern field/string theories, is elucidated by
taking into consideration the electric-magnetic duality, the Poisson
duality, and the AdS/CFT duality.
This monograph is based on various lectures given by Edward Shuryak at
Stony Brook during the last three decades and it is meant for advanced
graduate students and young researchers in theoretical and mathematical
physics who are willing to consolidate their knowledge in the
topological phenomena encountered in fundamental QCD research.