Quantum Field Theory

Homeworks and Tests

Class of Dr. Kaplunovsky

All assignments and solutions linked to this page are in TeX-generated PDF format.

Fall 2011, QFT 1 (PHY 396 K class)

Homework assignments

1. Set 1, due September 15; solutions.
2. Set 2, due September 22; solutions.
3. Set 3, due September 29.
   solutions to problems 1 and 2 (problem 3 is postponed to next homework).
4. Set 4, due October 6; solutions.
5. Set 5, due October 13; solutions.
6. Set 6, due October 20; solutions.
7. Set 7, due October 27; solutions.
8. Set 8, due November 3; solutions.
9. In lieu of Set 9, a reading assignment:
   §4.5 of the Peskin and Schroeder textbook about relation between the transition matrix elements M and the scattering cross sections or decay rates of unstable particles.
   Due Tuesday, November 15.
10. Set 10: Problems 4.2 and 4.3 of the Peskin & Schroeder textbook, due November 22 (Tuesday); solutions.
11. Set 11, due December 2 (Thursday); solutions.

Exams

• Mid-term exam, due November 10.
• End-term exam, due December 8 (Thursday) by 4:45PM.

Supplementary Notes

• Fock space formalism.
• The saddle point method.
• Fermionic algebra and Fock space; particles and holes.
• Spin-statistics theorem.
• Aharonov-Bohm effect and magnetic monopoles.
• Summary of the Standard Model.
• Perturbation theory, Dyson series, and Feynman diagrams.
• Mandelstam's variables s, t, and u.
• Dimensional analysis and allowed couplings.
• QED Feynman rules.
• Muon pair production and Dirac trace techniques.
• Crossing Symmetry.
• Annihilation and Compton Scattering: diagrams and calculations.

Recommended Reading

• Group Theory for Unified Model Building by Richard Slansky, Physics Reports 79 (1981) pp. 1-128 (local copy).