Field Theory in Particle Physics (NS-TP529M)
Lecturers: Bernard de Wit, Eric Laenen, Daniel Butter
Tutors (UU): Franz Ciceri, Nava Gaddam, Valentin Reys

Classes: 5 February - 23 April 2014, Wednesdays 10:00-12:45
In February classes will start in the Minnaert Building in lecture hall 211.
On March 5, classes will take place in the Went Building in room OC109.
From March 12 classes take place in the Minnaert Building 211 again
with the following exceptions:
March 19 and 26: third hour in Minnaert Building 202
April 2: lectures in Buys Ballot Lab, room 065
April 9: third hour in Minnaert Building 202

Tutorials: 4 February - 27 May 2014, Tuesdays 9:30-12:45, Math Building, 611AB, Utrecht

last update: 10/06/2014.

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, the decoupling of heavy degrees of freedom, and chiral anomalies. We discuss various aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, both perturbatative and non-perturbative. When time permits we will present spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism.

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

This year the lectures will take place at the UU in Utrecht. 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 Utrecht 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 5 February 2014.
First tutorial (UU): Tuesday 4 February 2014, BBL 611AB.

Last lecture: 23 April 2014.
Last tutorial (UU): 27 May 2014.

Question and answer sessions (UU): We will schedule a meeting in early June.

Solutions to an assigned exercise and bonus point! In the tutorials we are prepared to assign one exercise to every student. The solution has to be handed in as a LaTeX file and you have to give a short presentation (20-30 minutes) during a tutorial session about the solution. Assuming that your solution is correct and that the presentation is satisfactory, you will receive an additional bonus point to be added to your grade. The bonus point cannot be used for the retake exam.

The details and the organization of the probem assignments will appear regularly on black board starting from March 4.

Solutions to the assigned exercises:
  • Solutions UU and UvA can be found on the blackboard sites.

    Final exam: Wednesday 11 June, 10.00 - 13.00, BBL205
    Retake: Wednesday 2 July, 10.00 - 13.00, BBL201

    Lecture notes will be made available and can be bought in Amsterdam and in Utrecht. We will announce in class when and where the next set of notes will become available. In Utrecht they can be bought from A-Eskwadraat, BBL 238, which is open from 11.30-13.30 during the week. Part 1 of the notes should be available before the start of the tutorials. The notes from previous years have become obsolete. The lecture notes are part of the text of a forthcoming book "Field Theory in Particle Physics" (de Wit, Laenen, Smith).

    Note that in Part 1 of the UU version of the notes the font for the identity matrix has resolved into a vague spot!

    Some additional material