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

Field Theory in Particle Physics
Lecturers: Bernard de Wit, Eric Laenen
Tutors (UU): Kiril Hristov, Stijn van Tongeren

Classes: 10 February - 28 April 2010, Wednesdays 10:00-12:45,
Aardwetenschappen, Grote Zaal (continuously connected to the Minnaert Building), Uithof Utrecht

Tutorials: 8 February - 31 May 2010, Mondays 9:30-12:45, Buys Ballot Laboratory, zaal BBL 079, Utrecht

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 the Buys Ballot Laboratory at the Uithof campus of Utrecht University. 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.

First lecture: Wednesday 8 February.
First tutorial (UU): Monday 8 February, BBL 079

Last lecture: 29 April 2009. Location!! At 10 a.m. in BBL079; at 11 and at 12 a.m. in MIN211!!
Last tutorial (UU): 31 May

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 Monday 14 June at 10.00 in MIN401.

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: 16 June.

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

Solutions UU

Solutions UvA

Final exam: Wednesday 23 June, 10.00-13.00, BBL 079
Retake: Tuesday 12 October, 13.30-16.30, BBL 175 (last opportunity).

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 (new update with revised section 1; 09-05-10) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 2 (new update with revised section 2; 13-04-10) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 3 (new update with revised section 3; 14-05-10) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 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 10 Field Theory in Particle Physics
> Chapter 11 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 12 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 13 (new 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 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 18 Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 19 (new update 27-05-10) Field Theory in Particle Physics
Chapter 20 (new update with revised sects. 20.1, 20.2, problems; 09-06-10) 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

10 February: chapter 11
17 February: 11.6, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3
24 February: 13.1, 13.2, 13.3
3 March: 13.3,13.4
10 March: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
17 March: 9.1, 9.2, 16.1, 16.3
24 March: 16.3, 16.4, 17.1, 17.2
31 March: 17.3, 18.1, 18.2
7 April: 18.2, 18.3, 19.1
14 April: 19.2, 19.3,
21 April: 20.1 
28 April: 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".

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

15 February: 1.5, 1.7, 11.3

22 February: 12.2, 11.5, 11.6

1 March: 13.1, 13.2  

8 March: 13.3, 13.5, 13.8

15 March: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3

22 March: 9.2, 9.4, 16.4 

29 March:  17.2, 17.3

5 April: no tutorial

12 April: 18.1, 18.3, 18.5

17 April: 18.2, 18.7, 18.8

26 April: 18.9, 19.2

3 May: 20.1, 20.2, 20.3

10 May: 22.1, 22.2

17 May: 10.1, 22.3

24 May: no tutorial

31 May: 19.4, 22.4 

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: 06/09/2010.