Gauge Theories in Particle Physics: A Practical Introduction, Volume 1: From Relativistic Quantum Mechanics to QED, Fourth Edition

Description

Volume 1 of this revised and updated edition provides an accessible and practical introduction to the first gauge theory included in the Standard Model of particle physics: quantum electrodynamics (QED). The book includes self-contained presentations of electromagnetism as a gauge theory as well as relativistic quantum mechanics. It provides a unique elementary introduction to quantum field theory, establishing the essentials of the formal and conceptual framework upon which the subsequent development of the three gauge theories is based. The text also describes tree-level calculations of physical processes in QED and introduces ideas of renormalization in the context of one-loop radiative corrections for QED. New to the Fourth Edition New chapter on Lorentz transformations and discrete symmetries in relativistic quantum mechanics, with physical applications Introduction of Majorana fermions at an early stage, making the material suitable for a first course in relativistic quantum mechanics Discrete symmetries in quantum field theory Updates on nucleon structure functions and the status of QED The authors discuss the main conceptual points of the theory, detail many practical calculations of physical quantities from first principles, and compare these quantitative predictions with experimental results, helping readers improve both their calculation skills and physical insight. Content: INTRODUCTORY SURVEY, ELECTROMAGNETISM AS A GAUGE THEORY, AND RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM MECHANICSThe Particles and Forces of in the Standard ModelElectromagnetism as a Gauge TheoryRelativistic Quantum MechanicsLorentz Transformations and Discrete SymmetriesINTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM FIELD THEORYQuantum Field Theory I: The Free Scalar FieldQuantum Field Theory II: Interacting Scalar FieldsQuantum Field Theory III: Complex Scalar Fields, Dirac and Maxwell Fields Introduction of Electromagnetic InteractionsTREE-LEVEL APPLICATIONS IN QEDElementary Processes in Scalar and Spinor ElectrodynamicsDeep Inelastic Electron-Nucleon Scattering and the Parton ModelLOOPS AND RENORMALIZATIONLoops and Renormalization I: The ABC TheoryLoops and Renormalization II: QED APPENDIX A: Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics APPENDIX B: Natural Units APPENDIX C: Maxwell's Equations: Choice of Units APPENDIX D: Special Relativity: Invariance and Covariance APPENDIX E: Dirac Delta-Function APPENDIX F: Contour Integration APPENDIX G: Green Functions APPENDIX H: Elements of Non-Relativistic Scattering Theory APPENDIX I: The Schrodinger and Heisenberg Pictures APPENDIX J: Dirac Algebra and Trace Identities APPENDIX K: Example of a Cross Section Calculation APPENDIX L: Feynman Rules for Tree Graphs in QED ReferencesIndexProblems appear at the end of each chapter.