The theory of quark and gluon interactions (Q855090)

The Springer publications are doing a yeoman service to the researchers in theoretical physics including high energy physics for the past several decades. The book under review is an outstanding contribution by a well-known theorist concerning the interactions between the quarks and gluons explaining in detail the various important features of this modern field. In this 474-page textbook the author has given the current (2006) picture of the fundamental particles and their main interactions in terms of the most basic building blocks of nature. It will certainly be of great use to the students of particle physics and active research workers in the frontier areas of physics. The book comprises 10 chapters: Generalities, QCD as Field Theory, Renormalizations, Perturbative QCD, Hadrons as Bound States of Quarks, Light Quarks, Instantons, Lattice QCD, and Perterbative QCD series. There are altogether 9 appendices, 18 pages of references (about 600 in number), 6 pages of subject index and plenty of footnotes to clarify various points throughout. The 94 figures form an integral part, of this outstanding work. They serve well for illustrating the important aspects of hadronic interactions and are all neatly computer-generated. First published in 1983 and now in its fourth edition, the text addresses workers with basic knowledge of field theory and phenomenology of particle physics. Basic facts about quarks and gluons are presented in a pedagogical format with the theory and experimental findings going almost hand-in-hand. Latest theories and additional materials should be of immediate value to research workers in this fast growing advanced field.