Postgraduate Course: Modern Quantum Field Theory (PGPH11094)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course introduces path integral methods in quantum field theory. This modern approach (as opposed to canonical quantisation) allows the relatively simple quantisation of gauge theories and forms an essential tool for the understanding and development of the 'standard model' of particle physics. Topics include: Path integral formalism, Feynman rules, LSZ formalism, loop diagrams and divergencies, regularisation and renormalisation. |
| Course description |
- Path Integrals for quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, Green's functions and generating functionals for free scalar fields
- Interacting scalar fields, Feynman rules/diagrams, connected and one-particle-irreducible Green's functions
- Spectral functions, in/out states, reduction formulae (LSZ formalism), S-matrix
- One loop Feynman diagrams for scalar theories, divergencies, dimensional regularisation, renormalisation, renormalisation group, beta- and gamma- functions, Landau poles, infra red and ultra-violet fixed points
- Path integrals for fermions, Grassmann variables, Yukawa interactions
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the notion of a path integral in quantum mechanics and field theory and the connection between the path integral formalism and the operator (scattering) formalism.
- Understand perturbation theory, Feynman rules and diagrams from the path integral viewpoint.
- Be familar with the problem of ultraviolet divergencies in quantum field theories and renormalisation
- Understand the origin of infrared divergences in quantum field theories with massless degrees of freedom
- Be familiar with renormalization in a variety of QFTs including scalar field theories, as well as Yukawa and gauge filed theories.
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Learning Resources
``An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory,'' M.E. Peskin and D.V. Schroeder, Addison-Wesley, 1996.
``Quantum Field Theory," M. Srednicki, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
``Introduction to Gauge Field Theory'', D. Bailin and A. Love, Adam Hilger, 1986.
``Quantum Field Theory'', L.H. Ryder, Cambridge University Press, 1985.
``Gauge Theory of Elementary Particle Physics,'' T.P. Cheng and L.F. Li, Oxford, 1984. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | MQFT |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Einan Gardi
Tel: (0131 6)50 6469
Email: Einan.Gardi@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Wendy Hisbent
Tel: (0131 6)50 5783
Email: w.hisbent@ed.ac.uk |
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