PHY 341: Quantum Field Theory

General Information

Prerequisites: A strong background in graduate quantum mechanics is necessary.
Instructor: Shailesh Chandrasekharan, Duke Phone: 660-2462, sch@phy.duke.edu.
Time and Place: Mondays, Wednesdays between 11:40am-12:55 pm in Physics 299.
Office Hours: By Appointment;
TA: TBA
Main Texts: There will be two main text books
  • Peskin and Schroeder Introduction to Quantum Field Theory
  • Gerald Mehen Many Particle Physics
Other Texts: I may NOT follow the above two texts always. There are other books which I will also consult and use. Some of them are:
  • Weinberg, Quantum Field Theory, Vol. I and II
  • Zinn Justin Quantum Field Theory and Critical Phenomena
  • Itzykson and Drouffe Statistical Field Theory Vol.1 and 2.
  • Sakurai Advanced Quantum Mechanics
  • Itzykson Quantum Field Theory
Grades: Grades will be assigned according to the following weighted average:
  • Six Problem Sets (5 questions each set): 30%
  • Midterm (take home exam at the end of February): 30%
  • Final exam (take home): 40%
  • Final Exam Time: End of April
Notes:
  • Since I dont have a grader, home works will be graded based on the final answer and individual steps will not be considered.
  • You are not allowed to collaborate with each other on the home work problems. You can of course discuss the physics and course material with each other and learn collaboratively. But comparing the homework answers is not allowed.
  • Email will be used to disseminate information on problem set corrections, class schedule emergencies, etc. Please check regularly!

Syllabus

In this course we will learn the basics of quantum field theory.
  • Many Body Quantum Mechanics
  • Concept of a Quantum Field
  • Classical Field Theory
  • Path Integral Approach to QFT
  • Klien Gordon Equation and Spin-0 Field Theory
  • Role of Symmetries and Conservation Laws
  • Poincare Invariance
  • Dirac Equation and Spin-1/2 Field Theory
  • Maxwell's Equations and Spin-1 Field Theory
  • Interacting Field Theories - Perturbation Theory
  • Lattice Field Theory - Non-perturbative Definitions
  • Renormalization - Basics
This is a basic selection, other topics as well as emphasis can and will be adjusted to student interest.

Problem Sets

Exams

  • Midterm Exam , Solutions
  • Endterm Exam

    Weekly Updates

    Announcements:

    • The lecture on January 9th, 2008 is cancelled. The first class will be on January 14, 2008.