5180 - Quantum Field Theory (Winter 2015)
Quantum field theory (QFT) is the theoretical framework of particle physics. Particles are described by quantum mechanical excitations in a field, with the most familiar example being the photon as an excitation of the electromagnetic field. Historically, this field emerged due to the need to unify quantum mechanics with special relativity. QFT is a rich and difficult subject, for which this course will only provide a basic introduction.
Syllabus: Topics to be covered include: special relativity and Lorentz transformations; Klein-Gordon (scalar) fields and their quantization; Dirac (fermionic) fields and their quantization; continuous and discrete symmetries and Noether's theorem; interacting fields and perturbation theory; Feynman rules and Feynman diagrams; quantum electrodynamics; radiative corrections.
Course text (required): An Introduction to QFT by Michael Peskin and Daniel Schoeder. This is the most widely used QFT text nowadays. We will be covering approximately chapters 1-7.
Grading and tests: There will be weekly homework assignments, a midterm, and a final exam. Your final grade will be based as follows: your homework grade counts 50% and your final exam counts 50%.
Homework problems are the most essential part of this class. Assignments will be due on Thursdays or another day as announced. You may turn them in either in class or to my office (or under my door) before 4pm. No extensions will be given unless there is an emergency or other extreme circumstance. Late homework will be penalized 10% per day late.
Expectations: I expect that all homework you turn in will be entirely your own work. You may discuss homework problems with your peers, but you must write your own solutions independently.
Final exam: The final will be a take-home exam. You may pick it up anytime between Friday, April 10th and Friday April, 17th. From the time you pick it up, you will have three days (exactly 72 hours) to complete it and turn it back in. All exams must therefore be returned by Monday, April 20th.
All course materials may be used (course notes, HW assignments and solutions, textbooks) and you may also use computer programs (e.g. Matlab) if that is useful to you. You are not allowed to use the internet or any other materials obtained from the internet, nor are you allowed to collaborate with your peers in any way.
Homework assignments (due Thursdays):
problem set #1 - due Jan 22.
problem set #2 - due Jan 30.
problem set #3 - due Feb 5.
problem set #4 - due Feb 19.
problem set #5 - due Mar 6.
problem set #6 - due Mar 20.
problem set #7 - due Apr 3.
Office hours: Tues 11am-12pm or by appointment. My office is in Petrie room 217.
Course notes:
Week 1 - Special relativity and Lorentz transformations
Week 2/3 - Klein-Gordon fields and quantization
Week 4/5 - Interacting fields, perturbation theory, and cross sections
Week 6/7 - Dirac fields and quantization, discrete symmetries
Week 7/8 - Quantum Electrodynamics
Week 9/10 - More Quantum Electrodynamics
Week 10-12 - Radiative corrections
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