Updated: May 17, 2007

Fourth homework problem set added

Quantum Field Theory-I (Fy4020) Course Information

Text Book

 Main course book: Quantum Field Theory, by F. Mandl and G. Shaw (chapters 2-14)

Introductory book: For an introduction to the classical theory of fields and Noether's theorem, we use the book of Classical Mechanics by H. Goldstein, C. P. Poole, J. L. Safko (chapter 13)

Supplementary books: for additional indepth reading you may consult

  • An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory , by Peskin and Schroeder
  • The Quantum Theory of Fields, Vol. 1, by Steven Weinberg

Homework Problems

 Problem set 1 (due date: March 15, 2007)
Problem set 2 (due date: April 12, 2007)
Problem set 3 (due date: May 04, 2007)
Problem set 4 (due date: May 27, 2007)

Lecture Schedule

 Twice a week lectures from Jan 29 to May 14, 2007, held in the CoPS seminar room A5:1041. The course is now over

Course Content
  • Review of particle mechanics: Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, Poisson brackets, quantization, historical overview of quantum field theory.
  • Introduction to the classical theory of fields: From discrete to continuum mechanics, Lagrangian formulation of relativistic field dynamics and the equation of motion, some examples (the EM field, the Klein-Gordon field, Schrodinger field)
  • Symmetries and conservation laws: Transformations (translations, Lorentz rotations, gauge transformations), Relation between symmetries and conservation laws (Noether's theorem), conserved currents and charges, The energy-momentum tensor, Field energy, momentum and angular momentum (orbital + spin).
  • Hamiltonian formulation of classical field theory in terms of Poisson brackets, Conserved charges as generators of symmetry transformations, the effect of quantization, symmetry algebras.
  • Mandle and Shaw: Chapters 2 to 8
  • Non-Abelian gauge theories and Quantum Chromodynamics
  • Mandle and Shaw: Chapters 11 to 14
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