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Department of Physics

18201

18201  Quantum Field Theory     

Course Webpage: https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/PHYS279/

Course Content

  • The concept of the classical field (action, equations of motion). Symmetries (Noether’s theorem, conserved currents/charges, energy-momentum, and angular momentum tensors).
  • Canonical quantization of simple relativistic free fields (real & complex scalar fields). The vacuum energy and the Casimir effect, Green’s functions and Feynman propagator.
  • Interacting fields: Scattering states, S-matrix, LSZ reduction formula, Wick’s theorem, Scattering amplitudes, Feynman rules, application in the interaction between a real and a complex field.
  • Decay rates, cross sections (general theory)
  • Quantization of a spin ½ field (Dirac field): Γ-matrices, action and Dirac equation, chirality, discrete and continuous symmetries/conserved currents. Green’s functions and Feynman propagator. Interaction with a real scalar field (Yukawa theory)
  • Quantization of a massless spin 1 field (photon): Action and equation of motion. Gauge symmetry. Green’s functions and Feynman propagator.
  • Coupling to the Dirac field and Quantum electrodynamics (QEQ): Feynman’s rules and basic scattering of particles, e.g. Thοmson scattering, scattering with a classical field.