School of Science
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.