Publisher's Synopsis
A Modern Course in Quantum Field Theory provides a self-contained pedagogical and constructive presentation of quantum field theory. It contains a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental topics of quantum field theory starting from free fields and their quantization, renormalizable interactions, critical phenomena, the standard model of elementary particle physics, lattice field theory, the functional renormalization group equation, non-commutative field theory, topological field configurations, exact solutions of quantum field theory, supersymmetry and the AdS/CFT correspondence. The emphasis throughout is put on the physical principle of symmetry (especially the local principle of gauge symmetry) and on the mathematical machinery of Wilson's renormalization group equation.
In this updated and extended edition in addition to including new exercises and developments in the field, the author broadens the coverage by including new chapters on the phi-four theory in one and two dimensions, an introduction to particle physics, noncommutative field theory, and group theory. In addition the order of the chapters has been reorganized between the volumes and other chapters completely rewritten to better match changes in curricula and contemporary course structure. Written for advanced students, the work provides complete material for a two or three semester course and includes numerous exercises, some with detailed solutions. Readers of this text will be well prepared to follow the theoretical developments in the field and undertake research projects as part of an MSc or PhD programme. Volume one focuses on the essentials of QFT and provides a thorough presentation of the fundamentals of canonical quantization, path integrals and effective action and a thorough presentation of the standard model. It also includes a complete self-contained discussion of the renormalization of phi-four theory, quantum electrodynamics and gauge theories, as well as a systematic presentation of the problems of renormalizability and critical phenomena using the renormalization group equation.
Key Features:
- Reorganized, updated and extended new edition.
- Four new chapters.
- Additional exercises.
