Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - PHYS 812 G100

Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (3)

Class Number: 6160

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, Wed, Fri, 4:30–5:20 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.)

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.