- Department: Mathematics
- Credit value: 10 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Pre-requisite modules
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
- None
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
To introduce relativistic quantum field theory, which is the mathematical framework currently used to describe the fundamental interactions of nature (electromagnetism, weak and strong interactions), excluding gravity.
Understand the formulation of relativistic field theory.
Understand the Dirac equation as the equation for electrons and positrons.
Understand how quantum fields give rise to what we see as particles.
Have a rough idea about how interactions between particles are described by quantum field theory.
Syllabus
Elementary particles and their interactions (brief survey).
Symmetries and conservation laws; Noether’s theorem.
Field quantisation and particle interpretation; real or complex scalar fields.
The Dirac equation.
Quantisation of the Dirac field.
Quantisation of the Maxwell field, Interactions.
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
Current Department policy on feedback is available in the student handbook. Coursework and examinations will be marked and returned in accordance with this policy.
M Srednick, Quantum Field Theory, Cambridge University Press