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Gauge Theories in Particle Physics, Volume 1: From Relativistic Quantum Mechanics to QED, Third Edition presents an accessible, practical, and comprehensive introduction to the three gauge theories of the standard model of particle physics: quantum electrodynamics (QED), quantum chromodynamics (QCD), and the electroweak theory. For each of them, the authors provide a thorough discussion of the main conceptual points, a detailed exposition of many practical calculations of physical quantities, and a comparison of these quantitative predictions with experimental results.
For this two-volume third edition, much of the book has been rewritten to reflect developments over the last decade, both in the curricula of university courses and in particle physics research. Substantial new material has been introduced that is intended for use in undergraduate physics courses. New introductory chapters provide a precise historical account of the properties of quarks and leptons, and a qualitative overview of the quantum field description of their interactions, at a level appropriate to third year courses. The chapter on relativistic quantum mechanics has been enlarged and is supplemented by additional sections on scattering theory and Green functions, in a form appropriate to fourth year courses. Since precision experiments now test the theories beyond lowest order in perturbation theory, an understanding of the data requires a more sophisticated knowledge of quantum field theory, including ideas of renormalization. The treatment of quantum field theory has therefore been considerably extended so as to provide a uniquely accessible and self-contained introduction to quantum field dynamics, as described by Feynman graphs. The level is suitable for advanced fourth year undergraduates and first year graduates.
These developments are all contained in the first volume, which ends with a discussion of higher order corrections in QED; the second volume is devoted to the non-Abelian gauge theories of QCD and the electroweak theory. As in the first two editions, emphasis is placed throughout on developing realistic calculations from a secure physical and conceptual basis.
For this two-volume third edition, much of the book has been rewritten to reflect developments over the last decade, both in the curricula of university courses and in particle physics research. Substantial new material has been introduced that is intended for use in undergraduate physics courses. New introductory chapters provide a precise historical account of the properties of quarks and leptons, and a qualitative overview of the quantum field description of their interactions, at a level appropriate to third year courses. The chapter on relativistic quantum mechanics has been enlarged and is supplemented by additional sections on scattering theory and Green functions, in a form appropriate to fourth year courses. Since precision experiments now test the theories beyond lowest order in perturbation theory, an understanding of the data requires a more sophisticated knowledge of quantum field theory, including ideas of renormalization. The treatment of quantum field theory has therefore been considerably extended so as to provide a uniquely accessible and self-contained introduction to quantum field dynamics, as described by Feynman graphs. The level is suitable for advanced fourth year undergraduates and first year graduates.
These developments are all contained in the first volume, which ends with a discussion of higher order corrections in QED; the second volume is devoted to the non-Abelian gauge theories of QCD and the electroweak theory. As in the first two editions, emphasis is placed throughout on developing realistic calculations from a secure physical and conceptual basis.
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First Sentence
The traditional goal of particle physics has been to identify what appear to be structureless units of matter and to understand the nature of the forces acting between them. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The traditional goal of particle physics has been to identify what appear to be structureless units of matter and to understand the nature of the forces acting between them. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have hesitated a while before writing this brief review because I am not a physicist.I do however have a deep interest in physics and a pretty good grasp of non-relativistic QM.My problem has been the difficult jump from the relativistic equations to an understanding of QFT.My large collection of[mostly `introductory`]texts on QFT rapidly become impenetrable.This wonderful book,which is very different from it`s earlier editions, isn`t and I really wanted to let other field tiros know about it.The key word is `accessible`.The book follows a clear and precise path from a qualitative introduction to the Standard Model,the concept of gauge and the relativistic equations through to canonical quantisation of the field,a scalar field model then simple processes in QED and beyond.Wick`s theorem and the Dyson expansion appear naturally and there are excellent appendices summarising NRQM,scattering,Green functions,complex integration etc.The typeface and layout are excellent and there are problems at the end of each chapter.One of my favourite aspects is the relatively informal style of writing.I always like this in academic texts.Parts of this book flow like a novel and it has accompanied me to the beach on holiday in Spain to advantage!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have hesitated a while before writing this brief review because I am not a physicist. I do however have a deep interest in physics and a pretty good grasp of non-relativistic QM. My problem has been the difficult jump from the relativistic equations to an understanding of QFT. My large collection [mostly `introductory`]texts on QFT rapidly become impenetrable. This wonderful book, which is very different from it`s earlier editions, isn`t and I really wanted to let other field tiros know about it. The key word is `accessible`. The book follows a clear and precise path from a qualitative introduction to the standard Model, the concept of gauge and the relativistic equations through to canonical quantisation of the field, a scalar field model then simple processes in QED and beyond. Wick`s theorem and the Dyson expansion appear naturally and there are excellent appendices summarising NRQM, scattering, Green functions,complex integration etc. The typeface and layout are excellent and there are problems at the end of each chapter. One of the best features is the relatively informal writing style. I like this in academic texts. Parts of this book read like a novel - it`s even accompanied me to a Spanish beach! Highly recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I wholeheartedly agree with the other reviewers. I did my degree in Maths and Physics over 30 years ago and have had no professional connection with physics since. After brushing up on quantum mechanics and relativity I wanted to tackle Quantum Field Theory. I must have tried about a dozen alternative texts, many highly recommended, before I finally found Aitchison & Hey.
The authors really seem to be able to put themselves in the position of someone who is completely new to all of this. They go very easy on things like 4-vector notation, often writing out equations in more familiar vector calculus form, especially at the start of the book, until the reader feels more comfortable with covariant notation.
The appendices are particularly helpful and fall into two categories: those which summarise what you should already know, and those that teach the basics of techniques that might be unfamiliar. All the appendices are useful but I found those on the Dirac delta function, contour integration (they teach you what you need to know for this book in only six pages!) and Greens functions particularly so. Thanks to the appendices, I found the book to be almost entirely self contained.
However, a warning: QFT is probably one of the most difficult subjects that anyone can try to master on their own. Even A&H I found to be quite challenging in places. It has taken me nearly a year and I still haven't quite got to the end of volume one, with one chapter alone taking me nearly three months to complete.
It is often said that no one book can teach you QFT. That may be true, but A&H have come, by far, the closest of the many volumes that I have tried.
The authors really seem to be able to put themselves in the position of someone who is completely new to all of this. They go very easy on things like 4-vector notation, often writing out equations in more familiar vector calculus form, especially at the start of the book, until the reader feels more comfortable with covariant notation.
The appendices are particularly helpful and fall into two categories: those which summarise what you should already know, and those that teach the basics of techniques that might be unfamiliar. All the appendices are useful but I found those on the Dirac delta function, contour integration (they teach you what you need to know for this book in only six pages!) and Greens functions particularly so. Thanks to the appendices, I found the book to be almost entirely self contained.
However, a warning: QFT is probably one of the most difficult subjects that anyone can try to master on their own. Even A&H I found to be quite challenging in places. It has taken me nearly a year and I still haven't quite got to the end of volume one, with one chapter alone taking me nearly three months to complete.
It is often said that no one book can teach you QFT. That may be true, but A&H have come, by far, the closest of the many volumes that I have tried.
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