Digestible Quantum Field Theory / by Andrei Smilga.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smilga, Andrei., Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Particles (Nuclear physics).

Quantum field theory.

String models.

Cosmology.

Elementary Particles, Quantum Field Theory.

Quantum Field Theories, String Theory.

Local Subjects:

Elementary Particles, Quantum Field Theory.

Quantum Field Theories, String Theory.

Cosmology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (X, 351 p. 88 illus., 18 illus. in color.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2017.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2017.

Summary:

This book gives an intermediate level treatment of quantum field theory, appropriate to a reader with a first degree in physics and a working knowledge of special relativity and quantum mechanics. It aims to give the reader some understanding of what QFT is all about, without delving deep into actual calculations of Feynman diagrams or similar. The author serves up a seven‐course menu, which begins with a brief introductory Aperitif. This is followed by the Hors d'oeuvres, which set the scene with a broad survey of the Universe, its theoretical description, and how the ideas of QFT developed during the last century. In the next course, the Art of Cooking, the author recaps on some basic facts of analytical mechanics, relativity, quantum mechanics and also presents some nutritious “extras” in mathematics (group theory at the elementary level) and in physics (theory of scattering). After these preparations, the reader should have a good appetite for the Entrées ‐ the central par t of the book where the Standard Model is described and explained. After Trou Normand, the restive pause including human stories about physicists and no formulas, the author serves the Dessert, devoted to supersymmetry (a very beautiful theory that is still awaiting a direct experimental confirmation), to general relativity and to the mystery of quantum gravity. .

Contents:

I Aperitif: Introduction.- Units. Fundamental Constants. Conventions

II Hors d'Oeuvres: The Universe as we Know It.- The Cubic Edifice of Physical Theories

Genesis of the Standard Model

III Chef's Secrets: Groups and Algebras

Lagrangians and Hamiltonians

Cross Sections and Amplitudes

IV Entrées: Fermion Fields

Feynman Graphs

Quantum Chromodynamics

Theory of the Electroweak Interactions

V Trou Normand: The Human Dimension

VI Dessert: Supersymmetry

General Relativity

Mysterious Quantum Gravity

VII Coffee: Recommended Reading.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

3-319-59922-4