PHYS 4490
Relativistic Quantum Fields and Particles
Spring 2022
Professor Nikolaos Kidonakis
Office: SC437
Phone: (470) 578-6607
email: nkidonak@kennesaw.edu
Web: http://facultyweb.kennesaw.edu/nkidonak
Lectures: TTH 2:00-3:15 pm, Academic Bldg 250
Textbook: A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory by Michele Maggiore
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%
Withdrawal
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is March 15. Last day to withdraw with
a WF is April 25.
Tentative Schedule
Jan 11-13
Relativistic kinematics; Klein-Gordon equation
Jan 18-20
Dirac Equation; antiparticles
Jan 25-27
Lagrangian formulation for particles and fields; Noether's theorem;
canonical quantization of scalar fields
Feb 1-3
Test 1; Quantization of spinor fields; local gauge invariance
Feb 8-10
Quantization of gauge fields
Feb 15-17
Perturbation theory
Feb 22-24
Feynman diagrams; Quantum Electrodynamics
March 1-3
Test 2; Cross sections
March 8-10
Spring break; no classes
March 15-17
Ultraviolet and infrared divergences; dimensional regularization
March 22-24
Renormalization
March 29-31
Path-integral quantization
April 5-7
Test 3; Non-abelian gauge theories; SU(2) and Electroweak theory
April 12-14
Spontaneous symmetry breaking; Higgs mechanism
April 19-21
SU(3) and Quantum Chromodynamics
April 26-28
QCD and asymptotic freedom; soft gluons
Final Exam Tuesday, May 10, 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. The Student Code
of Conduct addresses the University's policy on academic honesty, including provisions
regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification
of University records or academic work, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities
and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged
academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University.
Attendance & Participation
Students are expected to attend all lectures, take all tests and exams, and complete
all homework assignments.
Course Delivery
KSU may shift the method of course delivery at any time during the semester in compliance
with University System of Georgia health and safety guidelines. In this case, alternate
teaching modalities that may be adopted include hyflex, hybrid, synchronous online,
or asynchronous online instruction.
COVID-19 illness
If you are feeling ill, please stay home and contact your health professional. In
addition, please email your instructor to say you are missing class due to illness.
Signs of COVID-19 illness include, but are not limited to, the following:
Cough
Fever of 100.4 F or higher
Runny nose or new sinus congestion
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills
Sore Throat
New loss of taste and/or smell
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For more information regarding COVID-19 (including testing, vaccines, extended illness procedures and accommodations), see KSU’s official Covid-19 website.
Face Coverings
Based on guidance from the University System of Georgia (USG), all vaccinated and
unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear a face covering while inside campus
facilities. Unvaccinated individuals are also strongly encouraged to continue to socially
distance while inside campus facilities, when possible.