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Quantum Field Theory I

This is the first part of a graduate level course on quantum field theory.

Content

  1. Why Quantum Field Theory (pdf)

    Attempts at relativistic quantum mechanics
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    Homework 1 (pdf)

    Suggested Reading:

    1. Weinberg, Quantum Theory of Fields, Volume I, Chapter I and II
    2. Theory of Electrons and Protons, by Dirac 
     

  2. The Scalar Field Theory (pdf)

    The dynamics of fields; Intermezzo: Lorentz Invariance; Symmetries; The Hamiltonian Formalism; Quantization in Schrödinger Picture; Mode Expansion; The Fock Space; Some Important Technicalities; The Vacuum Energy; Quantization in Heisenberg Picture; Causality and Propagators

    Homework 2 (pdf)
    Homework 3 (pdf)

    Suggested Reading

    1. Weinberg, Quantum Theory of Fields, Volume I, Chapter II
    2. Hugh Osborn, Group Theory Lecture Notes, Section IV
    3. On Unitary Representations of the Inhomogeneous Lorentz Group, by Wigner

"I mentioned my results to Niels Bohr, during a walk. That is nice, he said, that is something new... and he mumbled something about zero-point energy"

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- Hendrik Casimir

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