Quantum Field Theory

A modern pedagogic introduction to the ideas and techniques of quantum field theory.

Lewis H. Ryder (Author)

9780521478144, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 June 1996

508 pages, 143 b/w illus. 6 tables
24.8 x 17.5 x 2.9 cm, 0.8 kg

'It is very strongly recommended to anyone seeking an elementary introduction to modern approaches to quantum field theory.' Physics Bulletin

This book is a modern pedagogic introduction to the ideas and techniques of quantum field theory. After a brief overview of particle physics and a survey of relativistic wave equations and Lagrangian methods, the quantum theory of scalar and spinor fields, and then of gauge fields, is developed. The emphasis throughout is on functional methods, which have played a large part in modern field theory. The book concludes with a brief survey of 'topological' objects in field theory and, new to this edition, a chapter devoted to supersymmetry.

Preface
1. Introduction: synopsis of particle physics
2. Single particle relativistic wave equations
3. Lagrangian formulation, symmetries and gauge fields
4. Canonical quantisation and particle interpretation
5. Path integrals and quantum mechanics
6. Path integral quantisation and Feynman rules: scalar and spinor fields
7. Path integral quantisation: gauge fields
8. Spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Weinberg–Salam model
9. Renormalisation
10. Topological objects in field theory
11. Supersymmetry
Index.

Subject Areas: Quantum physics [quantum mechanics & quantum field theory PHQ]