An invitation to quantum field theory. (Q641217)

This book provides an introduction to Quantum Field Theory at an elementary level. Thematically organized into thirteen parts, it covers key topics in these areas: the passage from classical to quantum fields, the Lagrangian formulation, Gauge Theory, the Standard Model of particle physics, S-matrix and Feynman diagrams, symmetries and Noether's Theorem, the Higgs mechanism of mass generation, renormalization techniques, examples of anomalies, discrete symmetries, the connection of spin and statistics, the CPT Theorem, the Effective Field Theory concept, and supersymmetry. Therefore, the selected contributions not only cover purely theoretical developments but also present current advances in our understanding of modern particle physics. The reader is supposed to be familiar with special relativity, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. Of course, there are already many textbooks on the subject, though most of them are not up-to-date. Students will like this fresh approach to QFT based on lectures and courses given by the authors. My personal feeling is that readers whose acquaintance with mathematics is at an elementary, not advanced level are likely to be the main beneficiaries of this book.