Welcome to the Canvas information page for the course

FYTN19: Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, 7.5 credits

given by the Department of Physics. Lectures are given by Roman Pasechnik and Leif Gellersen.

General information

This is a 7.5 hp Master/PhD course in theoretical physics at Lund University with the main focus on fundamental concepts of Quantum Field Theory in the canonical formulation. This course introduces the theoretical concepts based on quantum mechanics and the special theory of relativity that are needed in order to describe relativistic particles and their interactions. The course starts out with the Klein-Gordon equation that describes free scalar particles and then continues with a discussion on the Dirac and Maxwell equations that describe the fermion and massless vector boson particles respectively. The canonical quantisation of a free (scalar, spinor, vector) field theory is presented. It is then shown how interactions can be treated in the framework of perturbation theory and how they can be described through Feynman diagrams, with $LaTeX: \phi^4$ and Yukawa theory as important examples. These latter ideas are, in the following, extended in order to include charged fermions (e.g. electrons) and gauge bosons (e.g. photons), yielding the theory of Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED). Diagrammatical techniques are applied mainly to calculate tree-level processes in QED. The final lectures of the course are devoted to the introduction of higher order processes and radiative corrections as well as the of the description of ultraviolet and infrared singularities of quantum scattering amplitudes.

Semester: spring
Study period: 1
Level: advanced (master/PhD)
Language: English
Form of teaching: blackboard lectures and problem-solving sessions
Assessment: written and oral examination
Grading scale: U-G-VG
Application: through antagning.se

The official description of the course contents and requirements can be found here, and a translation into English can be found here. It contains information about prerequisites, learning goals, etc.

Prerequisites

Quantum mechanics (especially time-dependent perturbation theory) at a level corresponding to FYTA12 (fundamental theoretical physics) or FYSN17 (quantum mechanics) as well as more in-depth knowledge corresponding to at least one of the courses FYTN04 (theoretical particle physics) or FYST37 (modern quantum mechanics). In addition FYTN01 (mathematical methods of physics) is recommended. Rigorous junior-level knowledge in calculus and linear algebra is required.

As side sources for reading on the concepts of particle physics and quantum mechanics, the following books can be recommended:

"Modern Elementary Particle Physics" by Gordon Kane, second edition (Cambridge University Press 2017).

"Quantum Mechanics" by B. H. Bransden & C. J. Joachain, 2nd Edition, (Longman, New Jersey, 2000).

"Modern Quantum Mechanics" by J. J. Sakurai, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, 2010.

Introduction meeting

Date and Time: Friday 20th of January at 13:15-15:00 in HUB (Fys:K364-365).

Lectures

All lectures are available in the course calendar, which will be updated if any lectures need to be moved or extended. For details about lecture contents, additional material, etc., see Syllabus.

The lectures are given by Roman Pasechnik and Leif Gellersen.

Course book

The course is mainly based on the following book:

- M. E. Peskin and D. V. Schroeder, An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, 1995 (ISBN 0201503972)

and on these lecture notes by David Tong.

As side-literature, any of the following books is recommended:

- A. Lahiri and P. B. Pal, A first book of Quantum Field Theory, Alpha Science Intl Ltd; 2 edition (November 30, 2005) (ISBN-13: 978-1842652497)
- A. Zee, Quantum field theory in a nutshell, 2003 (ISBN: 0-691-01019-6)
- S. Weinberg, The quantum theory of fields, vol. I "Foundations"
- M. D. Schwartz, Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model (especially useful for gauge boson quantization)
- M. Srednicki Quantum Field Theory (ISBN-13: 978-0521864497), can be found here
- J. D. Bjorken, S. Drell, vol. IRelativistic Quantum Mechanics and vol. II Relativistic Quantum Fields
- N. N. Bogoliubov, D. V. Shirkov, Introduction to the Theory of Quantized Field
- Ashok Das, Lectures on Quantum Field Theory, 2008 (ISBN-10 981-283-285-8)
- W. Greiner and J. Reinhardt, Field Quantization, 2008 (ISBN-10: 3540591796)

Problem-solving sessions

There are three problem-solving sessions during the course period. The course participants are split into groups and each group should (attempt to) solve a set of exercises to further discuss the solutions at the respective sessions in the class. Attending the problem-solving sessions is not compulsory, but highly recommended. Upon request, additional problem-solving sessions can be arranged. For further information, problems sets, and materials concerning the problem-solving sessions, see the corresponding section in "Modules".

The problem-solving sessions will be led by Chiara Le Roux and Mattias Sjö.

Exam

The examination consists of two parts: written and oral exams. The written exam concerns solving three sets of take-home exercises and timely handing them in by the respective deadline. Passing all three sets of exercises is necessary to be admitted for the final (oral) examination. A passing level on a given set of exercises means that, at least, 70% of exercises are correctly solved. The oral exam is the most crucial part and tests the understanding of theoretical foundations of the quantum field theory. The final grade is derived based on the students' performance at the oral exam only.

There is a list of typical oral exam questions.

As of now, the exams will be posted under Assignments.

Contacts

Responsible lecturer Roman Pasechnik and assistant lecturer Leif Gellersen

Teaching assistants: Chiara Le Roux and Mattias Sjö

In the case of any problem or an urgent question, do not hesitate to send us an e-mail.