Foreword Preface Acknowledgements 1. Synopsis Part I. Fundamental Concepts of Finance: 2. Introduction to finance 3. Derivative securities Part II. Systems with Finite Number of Degrees of Freedom: 4. Hamiltonians and stock options 5. Path integrals and stock options 6. Stochastic interest rates' Hamiltonians and path integrals Part III. Quantum Field Theory of Interest Rates Models: 7. Quantum field theory of forward interest rates 8. Empirical forward interest rates and field theory models 9. Field theory of Treasury Bonds' derivatives and hedging 10. Field theory Hamiltonian of forward interest rates 11. Conclusions Appendix A: mathematical background Brief glossary of financial terms Brief glossary of physics terms List of main symbols References Index.
Foreword Preface Acknowledgements 1. Synopsis Part I. Fundamental Concepts of Finance: 2. Introduction to finance 3. Derivative securities Part II. Systems with Finite Number of Degrees of Freedom: 4. Hamiltonians and stock options 5. Path integrals and stock options 6. Stochastic interest rates' Hamiltonians and path integrals Part III. Quantum Field Theory of Interest Rates Models: 7. Quantum field theory of forward interest rates 8. Empirical forward interest rates and field theory models 9. Field theory of Treasury Bonds' derivatives and hedging 10. Field theory Hamiltonian of forward interest rates 11. Conclusions Appendix A: mathematical background Brief glossary of financial terms Brief glossary of physics terms List of main symbols References Index.
Two underlying themes run through this book: first, defining and analyzing the subject of quantitative finance in the conceptual and mathematical framework of quantum theory, with special emphasis on its path-integral formulation, and, second, the introduction of the techniques and methodology of quantum field theory in the study of interest rates. No attempt is made to apply quantum theory in re-working the fundamental principles of finance. Instead, the term ‘quantum’ refers to the abstract mathematical constructs of quantum theory that include probability theory, state space, operators, Hamiltonians, commutation equations, Lagrangians, path integrals, quantized fields, bosons, fermions and so on. All these theoretical structures find natural and useful applications in finance. The path integral and Hamiltonian formulations of (random) quantum processes have been given special emphasis since they are equivalent to, as well as independent of, the formalism of stochastic calculus – which currently is one of the cornerstones of mathematical finance. The starting point for the application of path integrals and Hamiltonians in finance is in stock option pricing. Path integrals are subsequently applied to the modelling of linear and nonlinear theories of interest rates as a two-dimensional quantum field, something that is beyond the scope of stochastic calculus. Path integrals have the additional advantage of providing a framework for efficiently implementing the mathematical procedure of renormalization which is necessary in the study of nonlinear quantum field theories. The term ‘Quantum Finance’ represents the synthesis of the concepts, methods and mathematics of quantum theory, with the field of theoretical and applied finance.
This book applies the mathematics and concepts of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory to the modelling of interest rates and the theory of options. Particular emphasis is placed on path integrals and Hamiltonians. Financial mathematics is dominated by stochastic calculus. The present book offers a formulation that is completely independent of that approach. As such many results emerge from the ideas developed by the author. This work will be of interest to physicists and mathematicians working in the field of finance, to quantitative analysts in banks and finance firms and to practitioners in the field of fixed income securities and foreign exchange. The book can also be used as a graduate text for courses in financial physics and financial mathematics.
In this chapter the concept of the Hamiltonian is introduced in the pricing of options. Hamiltonians occur naturally in finance; to demonstrate this the analysis of the Black–Scholes equation is recast in the formalism of quantum mechanics. It is then shown how the Hamiltonian plays a central role in the general theory of option pricing. The Hamiltonian formulation provides new tools for obtaining solutions for option pricing; two key concepts related to the Hamiltonian are (a) eigenfunctions and (b) potentials. Knowledge of all the eigenfunctions of a Hamiltonian yields an exact solution for a large class of path-dependent and path-independent options. For example, barrier options can be modelled by placing constraints on the eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian. The potentials are a means for defining new financial instruments, and for modelling path-dependent options. Essentials of quantum mechanics It is shown in this chapter that option pricing in finance has a mathematical description that is identical to a quantum system; hence the key features of quantum theory are briefly reviewed. Quantum theory is a vast subject that forms the bedrock of contemporary physics, chemistry and biology. Only those aspects of quantum mechanics are reviewed that are relevant for the analysis of option pricing. In classical mechanics the position of a particle at time t , denoted by x t , is a deterministic function of t , and is given by Newton's law of motion. Classical mechanics is analogous to the case of the evolution of a stock price with zero volatility (σ = 0) that yields a deterministic evolution of the stock price.
Providing a pedagogical introduction to the essential principles of path integrals and Hamiltonians, this book describes cutting-edge quantum mathematical techniques applicable to a vast range of fields, from quantum mechanics, solid state physics, statistical mechanics, quantum field theory, and superstring theory to financial modeling, polymers, biology, chemistry, and quantum finance. Eschewing use of the Schrödinger equation, the powerful and flexible combination of Hamiltonian operators and path integrals is used to study a range of different quantum and classical random systems, succinctly demonstrating the interplay between a system's path integral, state space, and Hamiltonian. With a practical emphasis on the methodological and mathematical aspects of each derivation, this is a perfect introduction to these versatile mathematical methods, suitable for researchers and graduate students in physics and engineering.
The economic crisis of 2008 has shown that the capital markets need new theoretical and mathematical concepts to describe and price financial instruments. Focusing almost exclusively on interest rates and coupon bonds, this book does not employ stochastic calculus - the bedrock of the present day mathematical finance - for any of the derivations. Instead, it analyzes interest rates and coupon bonds using quantum finance. The Heath-Jarrow-Morton and the Libor Market Model are generalized by realizing the forward and Libor interest rates as an imperfectly correlated quantum field. Theoretical models have been calibrated and tested using bond and interest rates market data. Building on the principles formulated in the author's previous book (Quantum Finance, Cambridge University Press, 2004) this ground-breaking book brings together a diverse collection of theoretical and mathematical interest rate models. It will interest physicists and mathematicians researching in finance, and professionals working in the finance industry.
The economic crisis of 2008 has shown that the capital markets need new theoretical and mathematical concepts to describe and price financial instruments. Focusing on interest rates and coupon bonds, this book does not employ stochastic calculus – the bedrock of the present day mathematical finance – for any of the derivations. Instead, it analyzes interest rates and coupon bonds using quantum finance. The Heath-Jarrow-Morton and the Libor Market Model are generalized by realizing the forward and Libor interest rates as an imperfectly correlated quantum field. Theoretical models have been calibrated and tested using bond and interest rates market data. Building on the principles formulated in the author's previous book (Quantum Finance, Cambridge University Press, 2004) this ground-breaking book brings together a diverse collection of theoretical and mathematical interest rate models. It will interest physicists and mathematicians researching in finance, and professionals working in the finance industry.