Field Theory in Particle Physics
(Particles and Fields)
Lecturers: Bernard de Wit,
Eric Laenen
Tutors: Pierre Artoisenet, Philipp Frings
Last modified: Thu Feb 9 09:56:26 CET 2012
Classes February - April 2012, Wednesdays 10:00-12. 45, Utrecht University
Location: MG (Minnaert Gebouw) 211.
The Utrecht website for the course is here.
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.
In 2012 the lectures will be given at Utrecht University, in room MG 211.
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 UU.
We can discuss convenient times for the UvA tutorial during the first lecture.
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 8 February.
Last lecture: Wednesday 25 April
Extra EC's, bonus points, and solutions to assigned exercises.
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.
UvA students can upgrade the number of EC from 6 to 7.5 by attending
the problems sessions and handing in both problems.
UvA problem sessions: time and place to be agreed upon in the first lecture.
Deadline for handing in assigned bonus exercises: The deadline for the first problem is on Monday morning 7 May at 8 am. The deadline for the second problem is Wednesday 4 June at 8 am.
Lecture notes will be made available, and can be obtained in Utrecht at the science student desk BBL 184b. More information will follow. The lecture notes made available in previous years through our web pages, have become obsolete. The lecture notes are part of the text of a forthcoming book "Field Theory in Particle Physics" (de Wit, Laenen, Smith).
Some additional material
Lectures
8 February: Chapter 2, beginning Chapter 3.
15 February: Ch
22 February:
29 February:
7 March:
14 March:
21 March:
28 March: no lecture!
4 April:
11 April:
18 April:
25 April:
2 May:
Assigned exercises
16 February: 1.1, 1.3, 1.7 discussion (more to follow, location to follow)
23 February:
Roman numbers refer to sections in ``Field Theory in Particle Physics''
Numbes in square bracets refer to UU lecture notes.
A more detailed list of problems and problems sessions will follow, once
we have settled on the problem session time for UvA students.
In June we will probably 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.