Field theory and the physics of disordered systems

Abstract

In this talk I will present some of the main difficulties we encounter in studying the large scale behavior of disordered systems. This presentation will be done using a field theory language. The difficulties in applying the standard renormalization group approach are due to the presence of strong non-perturbative effects that we do not know how to master. These difficulties are particular acute in the case of ferromagnets in random field, localized electrons, growth models and spin glasses. I will review the situation presenting at the end a promising approach based on fat diagrams.