Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model

A modern introduction to quantum field theory for graduates, providing intuitive, physical explanations supported by real-world applications and homework problems.

Matthew D. Schwartz (Author)

9781107034730, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 December 2013

863 pages, 39 b/w illus. 191 exercises
25.2 x 19.4 x 3.7 cm, 1.56 kg

'Every single one of these pages is packed with information. … this book grew out of lectures Schwartz has given to graduate students at Harvard, and it becomes very clear that he is well aware of possible pitfalls and problems of understanding that students may have. … The first part of the book should be accessible for beginning graduate students who have mastered quantum mechanics, special relativity and electrodynamics. The second part of the book will also be useful for advanced students and researchers who want to learn how to perform calculations in the standard model. … Schwartz has done a great job in presenting his view on this complex matter, and I wish this book had already existed when I learned the subject! I recommend it to anyone dedicated to learning quantum field theory and the physics of the standard model.' Thomas Peters, Contemporary Physics

Providing a comprehensive introduction to quantum field theory, this textbook covers the development of particle physics from its foundations to the discovery of the Higgs boson. Its combination of clear physical explanations, with direct connections to experimental data, and mathematical rigor make the subject accessible to students with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. Assuming only an undergraduate-level understanding of quantum mechanics, the book steadily develops the Standard Model and state-of-the-art calculation techniques. It includes multiple derivations of many important results, with modern methods such as effective field theory and the renormalization group playing a prominent role. Numerous worked examples and end-of-chapter problems enable students to reproduce classic results and to master quantum field theory as it is used today. Based on a course taught by the author over many years, this book is ideal for an introductory to advanced quantum field theory sequence or for independent study.

Part I. Field Theory: 1. Microscopic theory of radiation
2. Lorentz invariance and second quantization
3. Classical Field Theory
4. Old-fashioned perturbation theory
5. Cross sections and decay rates
6. The S-matrix and time-ordered products
7. Feynman rules
Part II. Quantum Electrodynamics: 8. Spin 1 and gauge invariance
9. Scalar QED
10. Spinors
11. Spinor solutions and CPT
12. Spin and statistics
13. Quantum electrodynamics
14. Path integrals
Part III. Renormalization: 15. The Casimir effect
16. Vacuum polarization
17. The anomalous magnetic moment
18. Mass renormalization
19. Renormalized perturbation theory
20. Infrared divergences
21. Renormalizability
22. Non-renormalizable theories
23. The renormalization group
24. Implications of Unitarity
Part IV. The Standard Model: 25. Yang–Mills theory
26. Quantum Yang-Mills theory
27. Gluon scattering and the spinor-helicity formalism
28. Spontaneous symmetry breaking
29. Weak interactions
30. Anomalies
31. Precision tests of the standard model
32. QCD and the parton model
Part V. Advanced Topics: 33. Effective actions and Schwinger proper time
34. Background fields
35. Heavy-quark physics
36. Jets and effective field theory
Appendices
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Particle & high-energy physics [PHP], Physics [PH], Mathematics & science [P]