PHYS 4490
Relativistic Quantum Fields and Particles
Spring 2023
Professor Nikolaos Kidonakis
Office: SC437
Phone: (470) 578-6607
email: nkidonak@kennesaw.edu
Web: http://facultyweb.kennesaw.edu/nkidonak
Lectures: TTH 12:30-1:45 pm, Academic Bldg 323
Textbook: Quantum Field Theory by Lewis Ryder, second edition
Course description
PHYS 4490. Relativistic Quantum Fields and Particles. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in PHYS 3710
This special topics course is an introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics, quantum
field theory, elementary particle physics, and gauge theory. Students will learn how
the combination of the two revolutionary physics theories of the first half of the
20th century, relativity and quantum mechanics, leads us to the concept of quantum
fields and the description of the fundamental forces and particles in the universe.
Students will see how electromagnetism, the strong and weak nuclear interactions,
and even gravity, can be described in a unified way as gauge theories.
Learning outcomes
1. Learn how to derive relativistic Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations.
2. Learn how to use gauge symmetries to derive conservation laws in physics.
3. Analyze the quantization of scalar, vector, and spinor fields.
4. Use perturbation theory in elementary particle interactions.
5. Describe fundamental interactions in nature in terms of unitary groups.
Grading
Homework 30%
Tests 45% (3 tests, 15% each)
Final Exam 25%
Grades: A >90%; B 80%-90%; C 70%-80%; D 60%-70%; F <60%
A midterm grade will be assigned by the midterm grade due date identified on the Spring
2023 academic calendar. This midterm grade is for assessing mid-semester performance
prior to the last day to withdraw without academic penalty. You may view your midterm
grade in Owl Express. Note that only your final grade will be officially recorded
on your academic transcript.
Withdrawal
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is March 14. Last day to withdraw with
a WF is April 25.
Tentative Schedule
Jan 10-12
Relativistic kinematics; Klein-Gordon equation
Jan 17-19
Dirac Equation; antiparticles
Jan 24-26
Lagrangian formulation for particles and fields; Noether's theorem;
canonical quantization of scalar fields
Jan 31-Feb 2
Test 1; Quantization of spinor fields; local gauge invariance
Feb 7-9
Quantization of gauge fields
Feb 14-16
Perturbation theory
Feb 21-23
Feynman diagrams; Quantum Electrodynamics
Feb 28-March 2
Test 2; Cross sections
March 7-9
Spring break; no classes
March 14-16
Ultraviolet and infrared divergences; dimensional regularization
March 21-23
Renormalization
March 28-30
Path-integral quantization
April 4-6
Test 3; Non-abelian gauge theories; SU(2) and Electroweak theory
April 11-13
Spontaneous symmetry breaking; Higgs mechanism
April 18-20
SU(3) and Quantum Chromodynamics
April 25-27
QCD and asymptotic freedom; soft gluons
Final Exam Thursday, May 4, 1:00-3:00 pm
Exams Policy
Please note that any mobile device that transmits a signal is not permitted to be
used in an exam. All mobile devices should be deactivated during exams. Final exam
make-up is only for documented and excused emergencies or for scheduling conflicts
with other final exams.
Academic Integrity
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code
of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.
Attendance & Participation
Students are expected to attend all lectures, take all tests and exams, and complete
all homework assignments.