[Quantum Field Theory]
Fall
Semester 2009
Also
available at http://physics.wm.edu/~carlson/phys721.html
Goals: Learn to
¥Combine
quantum mechanics with special relativity,
¥Describe
creation and destruction of matter and other physical states,
¥Calculate
decay rates and scattering probabilities when states are created or destroyed
and relativity is important.
General Information
Professor Carl E. Carlson
Class meets: Tuesdays and
Thursdays, 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM, Millington Hall, Room 25
Office: Small 219 (enter through 221)
E-mail: carlson@physics.wm.edu
Telephone: 221--3509
Office hours: Tuesday 11:00--12:00
Text: M. Peskin and D.
Schroeder, Quantum Field Theory
(misprints are listed at http://physics.weber.edu/schroeder/qftbook.html
)
Recommended extra text: F. Gross, Relativistic
Quantum Mechanics and Field Theory
Other books (listed by
author):
¥ S.
Weinberg (3 vol.), The Quantum Theory Of Fields, Foundations/Modern
Applications/Supersymmetry.
¥ J.
Bjorken and S. Drell (2 volumes), Relativistic quantum mechanics/Relativistic
quantum fields
¥
Pierre Ramond, Field Theory: A Modern Primer
¥ J.
J. Sakurai, Advanced Quantum Mechanics
¥ C.
Itzykson and J. Zuber, Quantum Field Theory
Homework: Given out roughly
every other Tuesday (possibly more often), due 1 week later.
Midterm Exam: 15 October
2009---if in class. May be
take-home.
Final Exam: Friday, December 11, 9:00 AM
Grading: 30% midterm, 50% final, 20% homework
Lecture list for Physics 721: Advanced Quantum Mechanics
(Field Theory)
Fall 2009
|
Lecture |
Date |
Topic |
|
1 |
27 August |
Relativistic notation and Lorentz group |
|
2 |
1 September |
Klein-Gordon eq., Lagrangian, Noether thm., QM of cont. media |
|
3 |
3 |
Commutation rel., QM solutions for free KG eqn., H, P |
|
4 |
8 |
General commutation relations, propagator HW1_solution |
|
5 |
10 |
Dirac equation |
|
6 |
15 |
Lorentz transformations |
|
7 |
17 |
Free solutions, bilinears |
|
8 |
22 |
QM of Dirac field, anticommutators |
|
9 |
24 |
H, P, states |
|
10 |
29 |
Discrete symmetries: Parity HW3_solution |
|
11 |
1 October |
T and C |
|
12 |
6 |
Dirac propagator
HW4_solution |
|
13 |
8 |
Interactions, perturbation thy, time development, Wick
theorem |
|
|
15 |
Midterm Exam
2009_Midterm
with solution |
|
14 |
20 |
Feynman diagrams |
|
15 |
22 |
Scattering amplitudes |
|
16 |
27 |
Cross sections |
|
17 |
29 |
Fermion Feynman rules, Yukawa theory |
|
18 |
3 November |
QED: example of e+e– ¨ m+m-, trace
theorems |
|
19 |
5 |
e+e– ¨ m+m- with spin, Mandelstam variables,
crossing |
|
20 |
10 |
Compton scattering |
|
21 |
12 |
Higher order corrections, general remarks, bremsstrahlung |
|
22 |
17 |
Bremsstrahlung II |
|
23 |
19 |
Electron vertex correction |
|
24 |
24 |
Magnetic moment correction |
|
25 |
1 December |
Charge renormalization |
|
26 |
3 |
Infrared divergence elimination |
|
|
11 (Fri.) |
Final Exam, 9:00 AM |