Prospectus

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Quantum Field Theory

Course
2018-2019

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites: Effective Field Theory, Quantum Theory.

Description

Building on the courses Effective Field Theory and Quantum Theory, this is a first course in the Quantum Theory of Fields, which consistently unifies special relativity with quantum mechanics, and allows the description of many simultaneously quantized excitations.

Course Objectives

A basic understanding of the topics listed below, including the ability to do computations of the most important effects.

  • Quantum Mechanics from a Lagrangian perspective

  • The path integral

  • Spin and the Lorentz Group

  • The Dirac Equation

  • The theory of Quantum-ElectroDynamics

  • Perturbation theory and elementary scattering processes

  • Introduction to Renormalization, the renormallization group and the connection with critical phenomena

Timetable

Physics Schedule

Mode of instruction

Lectures
Weekly problem sets (except the first and last week).

Assessment method

7 Weekly problem sets:60% of final grade
Final exam:40% of final grade.

Only the final exam can be retaken.

Blackboard

Course material including weekly problem asssigments are also available on Blackboard..
To have access to Blackboard you need a ULCN-account.Blackboard UL

Reading list

Primary text books (required)
1. M. Srednicki, Quantum Field Theory, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
2. R. Rattazzi: The Path Integral approach to Quantum Mechanics, http://itp.epfl.ch/webdav/site/itp/users/174685/private/RevisedLectureNotesV2.pdf

Secondary text book (not required): M.E. Peskin, D.V. Schroeder: An introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Westview Press, 1995.

Contact

Lecturer Prof.dr.Ana Achucarro

Remarks