a prelude to quantum field theory

Quantum field theory is a powerful framework that extends quantum mechanics in ways that are essential in many modern applications. While it is the fundamental formalism for the study of many areas of physics, quantum field theory requires a different way of thinking, and many newcomers to the subject struggle with the transition from quantum mechanics. A Prelude to Quantum Fie...

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Quantum field theory is a powerful framework that extends quantum mechanics in ways that are essential in many modern applications. While it is the fundamental formalism for the study of many areas of physics, quantum field theory requires a different way of thinking, and many newcomers to the subject struggle with the transition from quantum mechanics. A Prelude to Quantum Field Theory introduces the key concepts of quantum field theory in a brief and accessible manner while never sacrificing mathematical rigor. The result is an easy-to-use textbook that distills the most general properties of the theory without overwhelming beginning students with more advanced applications.

Bridges quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, emphasizing analogies and differences

Emphasizes a “quantum field theoretical mindset” while maintaining mathematical rigor

Obtains quantum fields as the continuum limit of a quantized system of many particles

Highlights the correspondence between wave function—fundamental in quantum mechanics—and the formalism of second quantization used in quantum field theory

Provides a step-by-step derivation of Feynman rules for the perturbative study of interacting theories

Introduces students to renormalization, path integrals techniques, and more

Discusses more modern topics like effective field theories

Ideal for both undergraduate and graduate students

Proven in the classroom

Preface
CHAPTER 1 Why Quantum Field Theory?
1.1 A successful framework
1.2 A universal framework
CHAPTER 2 Quanta
2.1 From classical particle mechanics to classical waves: Phonons
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Preface
CHAPTER 1 Why Quantum Field Theory?
1.1 A successful framework
1.2 A universal framework
CHAPTER 2 Quanta
2.1 From classical particle mechanics to classical waves: Phonons
2.2 From quantum mechanics to Quantum Field Theory
2.3 Creation operators and the Hamiltonian
2.4 States filled with quanta
2.5 Connection with normal modes
CHAPTER 3 Developing free field theory
3.1 Quantum mechanics in field theory notation
3.2 The infinite-box limit
3.3 Relativistic notation, ħ = c = 1, and dimensional analysis
3.4 Action principle in general
3.5 Energy and momentum
3.6 Zero-point energy
3.7 Noether’s theorem
3.8 The relativistic real scalar field
3.9 The complex scalar field and antiparticles
3.10 The nonrelativistic limit
3.11 Photons
3.12 Fermions—Preliminary
3.13 Why equal-time commutators?
CHAPTER 4 Interactions
4.1 Example: Phonons again
4.2 Taking matrix elements
4.3 Interactions of scalar fields
4.4 Dimensional analysis with fields
4.5 Some transitions
4.6 The Feynman propagator
CHAPTER 5 Feynman rules
5.1 The time-development operator
5.2 Tree diagrams
5.3 Wick’s theorem
5.4 Loops
5.5 Getting rid of disconnected diagrams
5.6 The Feynman rules
5.7 Quantum Electrodynamics
5.8 Relation with old-fashioned perturbation theory
CHAPTER 6 Calculating
6.1 Decay rates and cross sections
6.2 Some examples
6.2.1 Decay rate
6.2.2 Cross section
6.2.3 Coulomb scattering in scalar Quantum Electrodynamics
6.2.4 Coulomb potential
6.3 Symmetry breaking
6.4 Example: Higgs mechanism and the Meissner effect
CHAPTER 7 Introduction to renormalization
7.1 Measurement
7.2 Importance of the uncertainty principle
7.3 Divergences
7.4 Techniques
7.5 The renormalization group
7.6 Power counting and renormalization
7.7 Effective field theory in brief
CHAPTER 8 Path Integrals
8.1 Path integrals in quantum mechanics
8.2 Path integrals for Quantum Field Theory
8.3 The generating functional—Feynman rules again
8.4 Connection to statistical physics
CHAPTER 9 A short guide to the rest of the story
9.1 Quantizing other fields
9.1.1 The Dirac field
9.1.2 Gauge bosons
9.2 Advanced techniques
9.3 Anomalies
9.4 Many body field theory
9.5 Nonperturbative physics
9.6 Bogolyubov coefficients
APPENDIX Calculating loop integrals
A.1 Basic techniques
A.2 Locality
A.3 Unitarity
A.4 Passarino-Veltman reduction
Bibliography
Index
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