Advanced Quantum Field Theory

This class will cover advanced topics in quantum field theory. A rough program of the course will be:

• Unitarity of the S-matrix and consequences (Cutting Rules and Dispersion Relations)
• Spinor helicity formalism and uniqueness of Yang-Mills theories
• Recap on Lie Groups
• Non-abelian gauge theories (Yang-Mills): Quantization and Renormalization
• Infrared divergences in abelian and non-abelian gauge theories
• Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking, Goldstone Bosons and the Effective Action
• Electroweak Symmetry Breaking and the Standard Model Higgs Boson
• Anomalies in Quantum Field Theory
• Possible extra topics, if time permits: Chiral Lagrangian, Spin-2 fields and weak-field quantization of gravity

General Information

INFO 28.04.2025: The exercise class of Wednesday, April 30th, is moved to Friday, May 2nd, 12:15-13:45 in PH 1121.

Classes take place every week on Wednesday and Thursday. Be punctual, we start on time!

Wednesday 08:15-09:45: 101 Hörsaal 1, Interims I 5620.01.101

Thursday 10:15-11:45: MW 2050 Zeichen-/Hörsaal 5510.02.050

IMPORTANT:

There will be three special classes on three Mondays due to the many public holidays falling on Thursdays during the Summer Semester:

Monday, April 28th, from 14:15-15:45 in MW 2050 Zeichen-/Hörsaal 5510.02.050

Monday, May 26th, from 14:15-15:45 in MW 2050 Zeichen-/Hörsaal 5510.02.050

Monday, June 16th, from 14:15-15:45 in MW 2050 Zeichen-/Hörsaal 5510.02.050

Tutorial Classes

Tutorials will start on the week 2 of the semester (April 28th). Attendance to tutorials is mandatory to obtain the final bonus (see section below on Bonus). 

The first tutorial will be a recap of methods, mainly dimensional regularization. The first exercise sheet will be discussed in week 3.

Exercises will be made available at least one week in advance; the solution should be handed to the tutors at the latest on Friday of the week before they are discussed. Please arrange details for handing in the exercises with your tutor.

There will be three tutorial groups to allow for interaction. One of the tutorials (Group 3 by Sara Ditsch) has been tagged to be for Women+. Important: The Women+ tutorial should be taken as an opportunity for a safe space, not an imposition. No one should feel forced to pick it as their tutorial slot based on their gender, sexual orientation, or any other reason. (for tutors' email addresses, substitute _AT_ with @).

• Group 1: Monday 08:30 - 10:00 in PH 1121 (5101.U1.121), Chiara Savoini and Federico Buccioni, chiara.savoini_AT_tum.de, federico.buccioni_AT_tum.de
• Group 2: Tuesday 16:00 - 17:30 in PH 2271 (5101.EG.271), Felix Forner, felix.forner_AT_tum.de
• Group 3 (Women+): Wednesday 10:15 - 11:45 in PH 1121 (5101.U1.121), Sara Ditsch, sara.ditsch_AT_tum.de

The distribution of students across tutorial slots can be found here.

Info on Bonus

A bonus of one grade step ("0,3'') in the final grade can be earned by successful participation in the tutorial. However, the bonus cannot convert a failed exam into "passed". "Successful participation" means:

• Attendance to all tutorials. The tutors will keep attendance lists; if you cannot be present on a certain date for good reasons, you should notify your tutor in advance.
• Solving at least 75% of the homework problems. Solutions should be handed in at the latest on the Friday before the week when each exercise is discussed.
• Presenting a solution at least twice in the tutorials.

IMPORTANT: The bonus is only valid for the first exam.