Semiclassical Methods in 2D QFT: Spectra and Finite-Size Effects

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We review some recent results obtained in the analysis of two-dimensional quantum field theories by means of semiclassical techniques, which generalize methods introduced during the Seventies by Dashen, Hasllacher and Neveu and by Goldstone and Jackiw. The approach is best suited to deal with quantum field theories characterized by a non-linear interaction potential with different degenerate minima, that generates kink excitations of large mass in the small coupling regime. Under these circumstances, although the results obtained are based on a small coupling assumption, they are nevertheless non-perturbative, since the kink backgrounds around which the semiclassical expansion is performed are non-perturbative too. We will discuss the efficacy of the semiclassical method as a tool to control analytically spectrum and finite-size effects in these theories.