The Conceptual Framework of Quantum Field Theory

The Conceptual Framework of Quantum Field Theory PDF Author: Anthony Duncan
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191642207
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The book attempts to provide an introduction to quantum field theory emphasizing conceptual issues frequently neglected in more "utilitarian" treatments of the subject. The book is divided into four parts, entitled respectively "Origins", "Dynamics", "Symmetries", and "Scales". The emphasis is conceptual - the aim is to build the theory up systematically from some clearly stated foundational concepts - and therefore to a large extent anti-historical, but two historical Chapters ("Origins") are included to situate quantum field theory in the larger context of modern physical theories. The three remaining sections of the book follow a step by step reconstruction of this framework beginning with just a few basic assumptions: relativistic invariance, the basic principles of quantum mechanics, and the prohibition of physical action at a distance embodied in the clustering principle. The "Dynamics" section of the book lays out the basic structure of quantum field theory arising from the sequential insertion of quantum-mechanical, relativistic and locality constraints. The central role of symmetries in relativistic quantum field theories is explored in the third section of the book, while in the final section, entitled "Scales", we explore in detail the feature of quantum field theories most critical for their enormous phenomenological success - the scale separation property embodied by the renormalization group properties of a theory defined by an effective local Lagrangian.

The Conceptual Framework of Quantum Field Theory

The Conceptual Framework of Quantum Field Theory PDF Author: Anthony Duncan
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191642207
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The book attempts to provide an introduction to quantum field theory emphasizing conceptual issues frequently neglected in more "utilitarian" treatments of the subject. The book is divided into four parts, entitled respectively "Origins", "Dynamics", "Symmetries", and "Scales". The emphasis is conceptual - the aim is to build the theory up systematically from some clearly stated foundational concepts - and therefore to a large extent anti-historical, but two historical Chapters ("Origins") are included to situate quantum field theory in the larger context of modern physical theories. The three remaining sections of the book follow a step by step reconstruction of this framework beginning with just a few basic assumptions: relativistic invariance, the basic principles of quantum mechanics, and the prohibition of physical action at a distance embodied in the clustering principle. The "Dynamics" section of the book lays out the basic structure of quantum field theory arising from the sequential insertion of quantum-mechanical, relativistic and locality constraints. The central role of symmetries in relativistic quantum field theories is explored in the third section of the book, while in the final section, entitled "Scales", we explore in detail the feature of quantum field theories most critical for their enormous phenomenological success - the scale separation property embodied by the renormalization group properties of a theory defined by an effective local Lagrangian.

The Conceptual Basis of Quantum Field Theory

The Conceptual Basis of Quantum Field Theory PDF Author: Gerard't Hooft
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781502591852
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 70

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Book Description
Relativistic Quantum Field Theory is a mathematical scheme to describethe sub-atomic particles and forces. The basic starting point is that the axiomsof Special Relativity on the one hand and those of Quantum Mechanics on theother, should be combined into one theory. The fundamental ingredients forthis construction are reviewed. A remarkable feature is that the constructionis not perfect; it will not allow us to compute all amplitudes with unlimitedprecision. Yet in practice this theory is more than accurate enough to coverthe entire domain between the atomic scale and the Planck scale, some 20orders of magnitude

Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Field Theory

Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Field Theory PDF Author: Tian Yu Cao
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521602723
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 424

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Book Description
Multi-author volume on the history and philosophy of physics.

Quantum Field Theory and Gravity

Quantum Field Theory and Gravity PDF Author: Felix Finster
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3034800436
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 389

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Book Description
One of the most challenging problems of contemporary theoretical physics is the mathematically rigorous construction of a theory which describes gravitation and the other fundamental physical interactions within a common framework. The physical ideas which grew from attempts to develop such a theory require highly advanced mathematical methods and radically new physical concepts. This book presents different approaches to a rigorous unified description of quantum fields and gravity. It contains a carefully selected cross-section of lively discussions which took place in autumn 2010 at the fifth conference "Quantum field theory and gravity - Conceptual and mathematical advances in the search for a unified framework" in Regensburg, Germany. In the tradition of the other proceedings covering this series of conferences, a special feature of this book is the exposition of a wide variety of approaches, with the intention to facilitate a comparison. The book is mainly addressed to mathematicians and physicists who are interested in fundamental questions of mathematical physics. It allows the reader to obtain a broad and up-to-date overview of a fascinating active research area.

An Introduction To Quantum Field Theory

An Introduction To Quantum Field Theory PDF Author: Michael E. Peskin
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0429983182
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 866

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Book Description
An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory is a textbook intended for the graduate physics course covering relativistic quantum mechanics, quantum electrodynamics, and Feynman diagrams. The authors make these subjects accessible through carefully worked examples illustrating the technical aspects of the subject, and intuitive explanations of what is going on behind the mathematics. After presenting the basics of quantum electrodynamics, the authors discuss the theory of renormalization and its relation to statistical mechanics, and introduce the renormalization group. This discussion sets the stage for a discussion of the physical principles that underlie the fundamental interactions of elementary particle physics and their description by gauge field theories.

The Theoretical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

The Theoretical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics PDF Author: Belal E. Baaquie
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 146146224X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description
The Theoretical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics addresses fundamental issues that are not discussed in most books on quantum mechanics. This book focuses on analyzing the underlying principles of quantum mechanics and explaining the conceptual and theoretical underpinning of quantum mechanics. In particular, the concepts of quantum indeterminacy, quantum measurement and quantum superposition are analyzed to clarify the concepts that are implicit in the formulation of quantum mechanics. The Schrodinger equation is never solved in the book. Rather, the discussion on the fundamentals of quantum mechanics is treated in a rigorous manner based on the mathematics of quantum mechanics. The new concept of the interplay of empirical and trans-empirical constructs in quantum mechanics is introduced to clarify the foundations of quantum mechanics and to explain the counter-intuitive construction of nature in quantum mechanics. The Theoretical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics is aimed at the advanced undergraduate and assumes introductory knowledge of quantum mechanics. Its objective is to provide a solid foundation for the reader to reach a deeper understanding of the principles of quantum mechanics.

Quantum Field Theory

Quantum Field Theory PDF Author: Mark Srednicki
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139462768
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 664

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Book Description
Quantum field theory is the basic mathematical framework that is used to describe elementary particles. This textbook provides a complete and essential introduction to the subject. Assuming only an undergraduate knowledge of quantum mechanics and special relativity, this book is ideal for graduate students beginning the study of elementary particles. The step-by-step presentation begins with basic concepts illustrated by simple examples, and proceeds through historically important results to thorough treatments of modern topics such as the renormalization group, spinor-helicity methods for quark and gluon scattering, magnetic monopoles, instantons, supersymmetry, and the unification of forces. The book is written in a modular format, with each chapter as self-contained as possible, and with the necessary prerequisite material clearly identified. It is based on a year-long course given by the author and contains extensive problems, with password protected solutions available to lecturers at www.cambridge.org/9780521864497.

Particles And Quantum Fields

Particles And Quantum Fields PDF Author: Hagen Kleinert
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9814740926
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1628

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Book Description
This is an introductory book on elementary particles and their interactions. It starts out with many-body Schrödinger theory and second quantization and leads, via its generalization, to relativistic fields of various spins and to gravity. The text begins with the best known quantum field theory so far, the quantum electrodynamics of photon and electrons (QED). It continues by developing the theory of strong interactions between the elementary constituents of matter (quarks). This is possible due to the property called asymptotic freedom. On the way one has to tackle the problem of removing various infinities by renormalization. The divergent sums of infinitely many diagrams are performed with the renormalization group or by variational perturbation theory (VPT). The latter is an outcome of the Feynman-Kleinert variational approach to path integrals discussed in two earlier books of the author, one representing a comprehensive treatise on path integrals, the other dealing with critial phenomena. Unlike ordinary perturbation theory, VPT produces uniformly convergent series which are valid from weak to strong couplings, where they describe critical phenomena.The present book develops the theory of effective actions which allow to treat quantum phenomena with classical formalism. For example, it derives the observed anomalous power laws of strongly interacting theories from an extremum of the action. Their fluctuations are not based on Gaussian distributions, as in the perturbative treatment of quantum field theories, or in asymptotically-free theories, but on deviations from the average which are much larger and which obey power-like distributions.Exactly solvable models are discussed and their physical properties are compared with those derived from general methods. In the last chapter we discuss the problem of quantizing the classical theory of gravity.

Quantum Field Theory Conformal Group Theory Conformal Field Theory

Quantum Field Theory Conformal Group Theory Conformal Field Theory PDF Author: R. Mirman
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595336922
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
The conformal group is the invariance group of geometry (which is not understood), the largest one. Physical applications are implied, as discussed, including reasons for interactions. The group structure as well as those of related groups are analyzed. An inhomogeneous group is a subgroup of a homogeneous one because of nonlinearities of the realization. Conservation of baryons (protons can't decay) is explained and proven. Reasons for various realizations, so matrix elements, of the Lorentz group given. The clearly relevant mass level formula is compared with experimental values. Questions, implications and possibilities, including for differential equations, are raised.

A Prelude to Quantum Field Theory

A Prelude to Quantum Field Theory PDF Author: John Donoghue
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691223505
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
A concise, beginner-friendly introduction to quantum field theory Quantum field theory is a powerful framework that extends quantum mechanics in ways that are essential in many modern applications. While it is the fundamental formalism for the study of many areas of physics, quantum field theory requires a different way of thinking, and many newcomers to the subject struggle with the transition from quantum mechanics. A Prelude to Quantum Field Theory introduces the key concepts of quantum field theory in a brief and accessible manner while never sacrificing mathematical rigor. The result is an easy-to-use textbook that distills the most general properties of the theory without overwhelming beginning students with more advanced applications. Bridges quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, emphasizing analogies and differences Emphasizes a “quantum field theoretical mindset” while maintaining mathematical rigor Obtains quantum fields as the continuum limit of a quantized system of many particles Highlights the correspondence between wave function—fundamental in quantum mechanics—and the formalism of second quantization used in quantum field theory Provides a step-by-step derivation of Feynman rules for the perturbative study of interacting theories Introduces students to renormalization, path integrals techniques, and more Discusses more modern topics like effective field theories Ideal for both undergraduate and graduate students Proven in the classroom