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): Stefanos Katmadas

4 February - 29 April 2009, Wednesdays 10:00-13:00, NIKHEF, Amsterdam

(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 in the Watergraafsmeer in Amsterdam. There will be three hours of lectures (with intermissions) every Wednesday (with the exception of 15 April), so that the total number of lecturing days is equal to twelve. Students attending the course from places outside Amsterdam will be offered some financial compensation for their travel. Details about this will be given in due course. Tutorials will be organized locally.

First lecture: Wednesday 4 February.
First tutorial (UU): Tuesday 3 February, MIN 202

Last lecture: 29 April 2009 (no lecture on 15 April)
Last tutorial: 26 May (no tutorial on 21 April)

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.

Solutions to the assigned exercises and bonus points! One week after the exercises have been worked out by the group, one of the students will be assigned the task of writing down the solution in LaTex. In this way we hope to be able to make a full collection of solutions available to the whole class when preparing for the exam. Every individual student who has carried out this tak at least twice, will receive one bonus point for the final exam.

Final exam: Wednesday June 10, 10.00 - 13.00, MIN 202
Retake: to be announced (there is at most one retake!)

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
Chapters 1-4 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 7 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 8 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 9 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 9; problems 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 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 14 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 18 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 19 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 20 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 22 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Appendix C, Group theory Field Theory in Particle Physics

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

Lectures

4 February: chapter 11
11 February: 11.6, 12.1 and 12.2
18 February: 12.3, 13.1 and 13.2
25 February: 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3
3 March: 9.1, 9.2, 13.3, 13.4
10 March: 13.3, 13.4 
17 March: (14.1), 14.2, 14.3 
24 March: 14.3, 16.1
1 April: 16.3, 18.1, 18.2
8 April: 18.2, 18.3, 19.1
15 April: no class
22 April: 19.2, 19.3, 19.4
29 April: 20.1, 20.2, 22.1

Assigned exercises

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

2 February: This will be a shorter and more introductory meeting. 
            We will discuss some first exercises: 11.1, [13.5], [13.6]  

10 February: 11.2, 11.3, 11.5

17 February: 11.6, 12.5, 12.8 (alternative options UL,UvA: 12.2, 12.7)

24 February: 4.5, 13.1, 13.2 

3 March: 8.2, 8.3

10 March: 9.1, 9.2, 13.4

17 March: 13.3, 13.5

24 March: 14.1, 14.2

31 March: 10.1, 10.2

7 April: 18.1, 18.2, 18.4 (note: numbers in ch 18 have been shifted meanwhile)

14 April: 18.5, 18.6, 18.7, 18.8 

21 April: no tutorial!

28 April: 18.9, 19.2

5 May: holiday

12 May: 22.1, 22.2

19 May: 18.3, and complete 22.1 and 22.2

26 May: 2.3, 2.5


In the beginning of 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: 8/6/2009.