Spring 2020 - PHYS 812 G100

Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (3)

Class Number: 3099

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PHYS 810 or equivalent.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A first course in relativistic quantum field theory (QFT), mainly quantum electrodynamics (QED). Canonical quantization of the Klein-Gordon, electromagnetic, and Dirac fields; gauge freedom; Feynman diagrams and rules, with applications to scattering cross sections and pair creation; renormalization, with applications to the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron and the Lamb shift.

COURSE DETAILS:

More advanced topics will be covered if time permits (see below).

TOPICS:
•    Relativistic field theories; Lagrangians and Hamiltonians; Noether’s theorem and symmetries; The transition to the quantum theory.
•    Canonical quantization of the Klein-Gordon field.
•    Quantization of the electromagnetic field: Gauge conditions and the restricted Fock space.
•    The Dirac field: Relativistic properties and quantization with anti-commutators.
•    Wick's theorem and perturbative scattering amplitudes.
•    Feynman diagrams and rules in QED; cross-sections etc.
•    QED in lowest order: Scattering; Particle-antiparticle pair creation.
•    Regularization and renormalization of QED at one-loop order; Anomalous magnetic moment of the electron.
•    Non-Abelian gauge theories and electroweak unification. Simple Higgs mechanisms.

Grading

  • TBA

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Textbooks (recommended, none required):

1) Quantum Field Theory, any edition, F. Mandl and G. Shaw, Wiley and Sons.
2) An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, any edition, M.E. Peskin and D.V. Schroeder,
Perseus Books.
3) The Quantum Theory of Fields, Vol.1, any edition, S. Weinberg, Cambridge University Press.
4) Any other good textbook you like. (There are many good ones out there.)

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS