3 EC
Semester 1, period 3
5354QFTE3Y
This course is the natural continuation of the Quantum Field Theory course of Daniel Baumann, and we will assume here that all students have already followed it. The course is divided into two main parts. The first one is an introduction to the renormalisation procedure of QFTs, with the explicit example of lambda Phi^4 theory at some loop. This will include a discussion of a powerful mechanism in QFTs to related phenomena at different scales, the Renormalisation Group flows. The second part of the course is focused on the quantisation of abelian gauge theories. Building upon a review of the properties of Maxwell's electromagnetism, we present the canonical quantisation of the photon field and derive the interaction rules for electrons and photons in Quantum Electrodynamics (QED). If time permits, we will present a first glimpse to QFTs based on non-abelian gauge theories such as Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD).
The topics covered in this course are inherited from three main textbooks, namely:
In addition to these textbooks, the material presented during the course is also available in a somewhat extended version in dedicated lecture notes, which will be made available to the students.
For the interested students, other related online lectures notes that they might consider to also study are the following ones:
At the end of the course, the student will be able to
Understand the physical origin of the infinities that arise in calculations of scattering processes in Quantum Field Theory beyond the Born approximation, and how to regularise them.
Calculate finite one-loop processes in QFT by removing these infinities using the renormalization method in the case of the scalar λφ4 theory, and demonstrate how physical predictions for scattering cross-sections are made finite this way.
Relate physical phenomena taking place at different distance and energy scales by using the renormal- ization group flow.
Be able to quantize Maxwell’s electromagnetism and perform simple calculations involving spin-1 pho- ton gauge fields and their interaction with fermions
Understand what are the implications of electromagnetism’s classical symmetries at the QFT level, and show how these symmetries allow predicting all-order results in the quantum theory.
Become familiar with simple interaction processes in Quantum Electrodynamics, and be able to com- pute simple scattering reactions involving fermions and photons.
The course is divided into eight 2-hour lectures and three 2-hour tutorial sessions.
Activity | Hours | |
Hoorcollege | 16 | |
Werkcollege | 8 | |
Self study | 60 | |
Total | 84 | (3 EC x 28 uur) |
Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
1 (100%) Exam |
In order to pass the course, a minimum mark of 60% in the exam needs to be achieved. This will be an open book exam so students can bring with them any learning materials such as lecture notes and textbooks.
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 |
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
Quantum Field Theory
My office is H353 in the Nikhef building. I can be contacted by email using j.rojo@vu.nl. The lecture notes of the course and additional material will also be posted online in my personal webpage http://juanrojo.com/teaching