Undergraduate Course: Modern Quantum Field Theory (PHYS11047)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Year 5 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www2.ph.ed.ac.uk/~rhorsley/ |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The course introduces path integral methods in quantum field theory. This modern approach (as opposed to canonical quantisation) allows the relatively simple quantisation of gauge theories and forms an essential tool for the understanding and development of the 'standard model' of particle physics. Topics include: Path integral formalism, Feynman rules, LSZ formalism, loop diagrams and divergencies, regularisation and renormalisation, gauge theories, running coupling constant. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Relativistic Quantum Field Theory (PHYS11021)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
|
WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | 15:00 - 15:50 | | | | | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | 15:00 - 15:50 | | | King's Buildings | Tutorial | | 2-10 | | | | 17:10 - 18:00 | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours:Minutes |
|
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Modern Quantum Field Theory | 2:00 | | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:
1) understand the notion of a path integral in quantum mechanics and field theory;
2) be familar with Grassmann numbers and their use for fermions in path integrals;
3) understand the connection between the path integral formalism and the operator (scattering) formalism;
4) understand perturbation theory and appreciate Feynmann rules and diagrams from the path integral viewpoint;
5) be familar with the problem of divergencies in quantum field theories and the renormalisation method;
6) appreciate the beauty of asymptotic freedom of the running coupling constant in non-abelian gauge theories leading to a theory of strong interactions - QCD;
7) to be able to apply what has been learnt in the course to solving simple problems in quantum field theory. |
Assessment Information
| 100% Degree Examination |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
&· Path Integrals for quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, Green's functions and generating functionals for free scalar fields
&· Interacting scalar fields, Feynman rules/diagrams, connected and one-particle-irreducible Green's functions
&· Path integrals for fermions, Grassmann variables, Yukawa interactions
&· Spectral functions, in/out states, reduction formulae (LSZ formalism), S-matrix
&· One loop Feynman diagrams for scalar theories, divergencies, dimensional regularisation, renormalisation, renormalisation group, beta- and gamma- functions, Landau poles, infra red and ultra-violet fixed points
&· Path integrals for gauge theories, gauge fixing, Faddeev-Popov factors, Feynman rules, renormalisation, renormalisation group, beta-function and asymptotic freedom (running coupling constant)
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | MQFT |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Einan Gardi
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Paula Wilkie
Tel: (0131) 668 8403
Email: |
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