To provide students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the key principles and applications of Relativistic Quantum Fields, and their relevance to current developments in physics, at a level appropriate for a professional physicist.

  18 lectures, typically 2 lectures per week

None

Examination (100%)

To introduce students to the fundamental ideas and calculational techniques of Relativistic Quantum Field theory, including quantisation of scalar and fermion fields, interactions and Quantum Electrodynamics.

By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and broad understanding of the concepts of Relativistic Quantum Fields, and perform simple calculations, including decay rates and scattering cross sections in scalar field theory and Quantum Electrodynamics. They should be able to understand the physics associated with different Lagrangians, and draw and evaluate Feynman diagrams associated with interaction terms. They should be able to write down, and where appropriate, either prove or explain physical and mathematical concepts underpinning Quantum Field Theory.

Not applicable