FIELD THEORY IN PARTICLE PHYSICS by B. de Wit and E. Laenen

Field Theory in Particle Physics
Lecturers: Bernard de Wit, Eric Laenen
Tutor (UU): Ivano Lodato

Classes: 9 February - 27 April 2011, Wednesdays 10:00-12:45,
Nikhef, Amsterdam

Tutorials: 8 February - 24 May 2011, Tuesdays 9:30-12:45, Buys Ballot Laboratory, zaal BBL 165, Utrecht

(Nikhef access: mention at the reception that you are attending the course by E. Laenen and B. de Wit)

This is an interuniversity course. In this course we investigate the structure and manifestations of (non-abelian) gauge theories. The Standard Model of elementary particles is an example, but we will often take a broader view. We begin with a general discussion of rigid and local symmetries, leading to the construction of gauge theories. Subsequently we discuss the quantization of gauge fields: gauge-fixing, ghost fields and Feynman rules. This enables a treatment of renormalization, asymptotic freedom, and the decoupling of heavy degrees of freedom. We then discuss some consequences for Quantum Chromodynamics, at the one-loop level, followed by an in-depth treatment of spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism. The Standard Model is introduced and some of its phenomenology is discussed. When time permits, the course will be concluded by a discussion of chiral anomalies and some outlook beyond the Standard Model.

Prerequisites: a good introduction in quantum field theory, some knowledge of group theory and of Lorentz invariance.

The lectures will take place at Nikhef. There will be three hours of lectures (with intermissions) every Wednesday, so that the total number of lecturing days is equal to twelve. Tutorials will be organized locally at the UvA and the UU. Students attending the class from places outside Amsterdam will probably be offered some financial compensation for their travel. To qualify for compensation you will have to hand in your train tickets at the end of the course.

First lecture: Wednesday 9 February 2011.
First tutorial (UU): Tuesday 8 February 2011, BBL 165

Last lecture: 29 April 2011.
Last tutorial (UU): 24 May 2011.

Question and answer sessions (UU): These meetings will not be held every week, but only when the need arises. We will discuss this in class or during the tutorial.

This meeting will take place on Tuesday 14 June at 10.00 pm in BBL 165.

Solutions to the assigned exercises and bonus points! We are prepared to asign two exercises to every student. The solutions have to be handed in as a LaTeX file. Assuming that the solutions are correct, you will receive an additional bonus point to be added to your grade. The bonus point cannot be used for the retake exam.

Deadline for handing in assigned bonus exercises: The first problem has to be handed in during week 17. The deadline is on Monday morning 2 May at 8 am. The deadline for the second problem is Wednesday 1 June at 8 am.

Solutions to some of the assigned bonus exercises can be found in:

Solutions UU

Solutions UvA

Final exam: Tuesday 21 June, 10 - 13, BBL165.
Retake: Friday 26 August, BBL161. There will be one retake exam.

Lecture notes will be made available (through our web pages) during the course based on chapters of the book "Field Theory in Particle Physics" (de Wit & Smith), and of its forthcoming new and extended edition by De Wit, Laenen & Smith. We intend to start with chapter 11. Files will be regularly replaced by revised versions.

Lecture notes

Table of Contents Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 1 (update with revised section 1; 09-05-10) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 2 (update with revised section 2; 13-04-10) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 3 (update 10-04-11) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 4 (update 10-04-11) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 5 (sect. 5.1 in new conventions as well as some of the problems 22-05-11) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 7 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 8 (minor update in problems 19-04-11) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 9 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 10 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 11 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 12 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 13 (update 23-11-10) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 14 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 16 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 17 (update 23-05-11) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 18 (update 24-02-11) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 19 (update 31-3-11) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 20 (update with new problem 20.3 31-03-11) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 22 (new update; 01-05-10) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Appendix C, Group theory Field Theory in Particle Physics
Appendix E, Gamma matrices Field Theory in Particle Physics
Appendix F, Feynman integrals in n dimensions Field Theory in Particle Physics

UU lecture notes Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (B. de Wit, 2008)

Lectures

9 February: 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4
16 February: 11.6, 12.1
23 February: 12.2, 12.3, 18.1 
2 March: 18.2, 18.3 
9 March: 18.3, 19.1
16 March: 19.2, 19.3, 19.4   
23 March: 20.1, 20.2, 3.1
30 March: 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
6 April: 3.6, 4.1, 4.2 
13 April: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 
20 April: 9.1, 9.2
27 April: 17.1, 17.2

Assigned exercises

Numbers refer to exercises in "Field Theory in Particle Physics". 
Numbers in parentheses refer to exercises in "Introduction to Quantum Field Theory".

8 February: This will be a shorter and more introductory meeting. 
            We will discuss some first exercises: 1.1, 11.1, 

15 February: 1.5, 1.7, 11.3

22 February: 12.1, 12.2, 11.5, 11.6

1 March: 12.3, 12.5, 12.8

8 March: 12.6, 18.1, 18.2

15 March: 18.5, 18.6, 18.11, 18.12

22 March: 19.2, 19.4 

29 March: 20.2, 20,3

5 April: 3.2, 3.4, 3.9 (note: new editions available of problems 19.4 and 20.3)

12 April: 3.10, 4.1, 4.2

17 April: 4.3, 4.5, 4.6

26 April: 8.1, 8.2, 9.1

3 May: 8.3, 9.2, 9.3

10 May: 9.2, 9.3

17 May: 9.4, 9.5

24 May: 19.7, 22.1 

31 May: 17.2, 17.3 

In June we will schedule a meeting where we will answer 
your questions in preparation for the final exam. Please, contact us 
during office hours in case of more urgent questions or in order to 
familiarize us with some of the topics you want us to explain.

last update: 20/07/2011.