Quantum Field Theory

Diploma(s)
Place
Université Paris Cité
Fall semester
Level Master 2 6 ECTS - English
Compulsory for the Theoretical Physics path
Instructor(s) Brando Bellazzini
Teaching Assistant Dan Israel ( Sorbonne University )
Contact - Secrétariat de l’enseignement

This course will provide an introduction to quantum field theory. 

We will discuss the observables of quantum field theory, canonical and path integral quantization of fields of different spin, perturbation theory, and the basics of of renormalization theory. 
The material presented in the course can be found scattered in several textbooks among which:

  • "The Quantum Theory of Fields", volume 1 (and partly volume 2), by Steven Weinberg
  • "Quantum Field Theory" by M. Srednicki 
  • “Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model” by Matthew D. Schwartz
  • "An introduction to Quantum Field Theory" by M.Peskin and D. Schroeder 
  • "Modern Quantum Field Theory: a Concise Introduction" by T. Banks
  • “A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory" by M. Maggiore
Syllabus
Prerequisites
  •  quantum mechanics, including perturbation theory (Fermi’s golden rule, …)
  •  special relativity, in particular the Lorentz transformation and relativistic kinematics
  •  analytical mechanics (Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism)
  •  complex analysis, in particular the computation of residues, and a passing familiarity with distributions (roughly at the level of the corresponding Wikipedia page entry)
Evaluation

Ecrit

Bibliography

The material presented in the course can be found in B. Bellazzini personal notes (available on moodle or on demand, see also his website), and it is scattered in several textbooks among which:

  • "The Quantum Theory of Fields", volume 1 (and partly volume 2), by Steven Weinberg
  • "Quantum Field Theory" by M. Srednicki 
  • “Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model” by Matthew D. Schwartz
  • "An introduction to Quantum Field Theory" by M.Peskin and D. Schroeder 
  • "Modern Quantum Field Theory: a Concise Introduction" by T. Banks
  • “A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory" by M. Maggiore
  • "Aspects of Symmetry" by S. Coleman
  • "Quantum Field Theory: Lectures of Sidney Coleman", by S. Coleman

Other useful online resources are D. Tong's lectures