Book: Quantum Field Theory: A Self Contained Course
Author: David Atkinson
Pages: 216
Format: PDF
Language: English
ISBN10: 158949024X
These volumes are self-contained in the sense that the only prerequisites are a knowledge of partial differential equations and Maxwell's theory of electromag¬netism. It is not necessary for the reader to have studied the special theory of relativity, the relativistic reformulation of Maxwell's equations, or to know anything about unbounded operators on Hilbert space, for all these subjects are developed in requisite detail at the various points where they are needed. On the other hand, it is advisable for the student to have covered the material of Volume 1 before starting on Volume 2.
Each chapter is complemented by ten problems, and the student is advised to try them all by himself or herself before looking at our solutions in Volume 4. It cannot be emphasized too strongly that the temptation for a student to look immediately at the worked-out answers is self-defeating. Look at the answers, certainly, but only after you have engaged in serious battle. Physics cannot be learned just by reading or listening, but only by thinking, writing and worrying.
This second volume, being an introduction to quantum field theory, employs canonical quantization methods exclusively, the path-integral formalism having been avoided. We have not made any attempt to cover all subjects of physical interest, but have made a choice appropriate for a course based on two hours of lectures and two hours of problem sessions during one undergraduate semester. The basic goal is the setting up of rules for drawing Feynman graphs and for calculating amplitudes from them. This is done primarily in quantum electrodynamics; but an appendix sketches the extension to the electroweak theory, and some Feynman rules are given for this extended Lagrangian.
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