Postgraduate Course: Modern Quantum Field Theory (PGPH11094)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | 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. |
| Course description |
- 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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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
50 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
20% Coursework
80% Examination |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the notion of a path integral in quantum mechanics and field theory and the connection between the path integral formalism and the operator (scattering) formalism.
- Understand perturbation theory, Feynman rules and diagrams from the path integral viewpoint.
- Be familar with the problem of ultraviolet divergencies in quantum field theories and renormalisation
- Understand the origin of infrared divergences in quantum field theories with massless degrees of freedom
- Be familiar with renormalization in a variety of QFTs including scalar field theories, as well as Yukawa and gauge filed theories.
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Learning Resources
``An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory,'' M.E. Peskin and D.V. Schroeder, Addison-Wesley, 1996.
``Quantum Field Theory," M. Srednicki, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
``Introduction to Gauge Field Theory'', D. Bailin and A. Love, Adam Hilger, 1986.
``Quantum Field Theory'', L.H. Ryder, Cambridge University Press, 1985.
``Gauge Theory of Elementary Particle Physics,'' T.P. Cheng and L.F. Li, Oxford, 1984. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | MQFT |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Einan Gardi
Tel: (0131 6)50 6469
Email: |
Course secretary | Yuhua Lei
Tel: (0131 6) 517067
Email: |
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