SS21 Advanced Quantum Field Theory

 

 

The lecture is aimed at master students with an interest in theoretical physics. It is a crucial preparation for a master thesis in theoretical particle physics. The quantum field theory concepts discussed are however more widely applicable. The focus here will be on methods, rather than on phenomenology (as compared to the 'Theoretical particle physics' course).

News

  • The first lecture will be on the 15.4.2021 (wrong date before!). 
  • Additional information and lecture videos will be available on the moodle page
  • Please register for the Slack workspace on the moodle page.

Syllabus

  • Quantization and renormalization of non-abelian gauge theories
  • Quantum theory of spontaneous symmetry breaking (non-linear symmetry representation, Higgs mechanism, effective potential)
  • General relativity as an effective QFT of gravitons (spin-2 fields)
  • Anomalies (chiral, dilatation)
  • Infrared divergencies
  • Scattering amplitudes, spinor helicity formalism, recursion relations (BCFW)

 

Lectures

Monday 10-11:30  (Zoom: link, see moodle page)
Thursday 10-11:30 (Zoom)

Exercises

Group 1: see moodle page

Groups 2:

Prerequisites:

Preferably: QFT1 at TUM (Latex script.pdf), or minimally: Relativity, Particles, Fields (Latex script.pdf)

Literature:

S. Weinberg - Quantum Field Theory (1 & 2)     
Peskin/Schroeder - An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory
Preskill - Lecture notes (on his Caltech website)
Schwartz - Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model
Cheng/Li - Gauge theory of elementary particle physics

Sign conventions across QFT books, see here

Lecture Notes

(Please contact Javi or Ennio for the password, it will be also announced during the lecture.)

The contents of a previous lecture is here, but we will not strictly follow this syllabus. 

Exam

The first exam is Mo 02.08.2021 and the repeat exam is on Mo 04.10.2021.

Exercise Sheets

Exercise coordination: Dr. Javi Serra (javi.serraATtum.de), Dr. Elena Venturini, Dr. Pietro Baratella

Exercise bonus: in order to obtain the +0.3 bonus (applicable to the first exam attempt, and only to passing grades) you will need to attend regularly the tutorials, present/discuss the solution of at least one exercise, and hand in solutions for at least 50% of the total number of exercises.

See moodle page.