Quantum Field Theory (2018-19)

Course Term: Michaelmas
Course Weight: 1.5
Course Overview:

24 lectures
Areas: PT, CMT, Astro, foundational course.
Sequels: Advanced Quantum Field Theory for Particle Physics (HT), Conformal Field Theory (TT),
Quantum Field Theory in Curved Space-Time (TT).

Outline:
1. Why field theory? Why quantum field theory? Why relativistic quantum field theory?
2. The Klein-Gordon QFT
3. Symmetries, Noether’s theorem, and the stress-energy tensor
4. Complex fields and antiparticles
5. Treating interacting fields using Feynman diagrams
6. Scattering
7. Statistical Mechanics and Field Theory
8. (time permitting) Fermions and the Dirac Lagrangian

External Lecturer(s):

Prof. Paul Fendley

Assessment Type:

Invigilated written examination in HT
Course Synopsis:

Why field theory is needed, canonical quantisation of free eld theory, Noether's theorem, correlation functions, using Feynman diagrams to understand interactions, scattering theory and S-matrices, the path integral and statistical mechanics, fermions and the Dirac Lagrangian (time permitting).