Physics 5970 Advanced Quantum Field Theory

Physics 5970, Advanced Quantum Field Theory

Course Syllabus, Spring 2005

Instructor: Dr. Kim Milton
milton@mail.nhn.ou.edu

phone: 405-325-3961 x 36325, fax: 405-325-7557

Office Hours: 11:30 am-12:30 pm, MWF, NH 325

Class meetings: 10:30-11:20 am, MWF, NH 201

Course Content:

No textbook will be required; notes will be posted periodically on the web.

References:

There are many valuable and well-written books on the subject, including the following which have been placed on reserve in the Physics Library.

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics (1964) and Relativistic Quantum Fields (1965) by J. D. Bjorken and S. D. Drell
Quantum Field Theory by C. Itzykson and J.-B. Zuber (1980)
An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Michael E. Peskin and Daniel V. Schroeder, (1995)
Field Theory: A Modern Primer by P. Ramond (1981)
Particles, Sources, and Fields, vol. 1-3, by J. Schwinger (1970), (1973), (1989)
The Quantum Theory of Fields, Steven Weinberg (1996), Vol. 1-3.
Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell, by A. Zee (2003)
Quantum Field Theory and Critical Phenomena by J. Zinn-Justin (1996)

Tentative Class Outline:

I. Dirac Equation

Lorentz Covariance
Discrete Symmetries: Parity and Time Reversal
Poincare Group

II. Abelian Gauge Fields

Gauge Transformations
Electrodynamics
Energy Momentum Tensor

III. Perturbation Theory -- Feynman Rules

Scalar field theory
Renormalization
Feynman Rules for QED
Calculations in QED

IV. Non-Abelian Gauge Fields

Applications to the Standard Model: Electroweak Theory and QCD
Renormalization Group and Asymptotic Freedom

V. Solitons and Instantons
VI. Path Integral Formulation and the Quantum Action Principle

Lecture Notes will be posted on the web at http://www.nhn.ou.edu/%7Emilton/aqft.html in pdf format.

Grading Specifics:

Homework problems will be assigned on a weekly basis; they will constitute 70% of the course grade. The take-home final exam will be worth 30%. Late homework, not more than two weeks overdue, will be accepted for 1/2 credit. Since your participation is vital for learning, your performance on the homework constitutes most of the course grade. You should feel free to consult with one another and with the instructor on these problems, but do not merely copy from each other!

Reasonable accommodation statement:

"Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your [sic] educational opportunities."

Department of Physics and Astronomy
The University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019-0225 USA
phone: 405-325-3961 x 36325
fax: 405-325-7557

Department of Physics and Astronomy Home Page

Email to: milton@mail.nhn.ou.edu

Updated January 18, 2005.