SUBJECT

Title

Relativistic quantum electrodynamics II

Type of instruction

lecture

Level

master

Part of degree program
Credits

2

Recommended in

Semester 3

Typically offered in

Autumn semester

Course description

Scattering theory in quantum field theory. N point Green functions and perturbative evaluation. Feynman-diagrams and their evaluation in quantum electrodynamics. Calculation of the simplest divergent diagrams and regularization with the Pauli-Villars method: vacuum polarization, the electron self-energyand vertex. The renormalization method. Determination of the renormalized charge, electron mass and the wave function renormalization constant. Role of the Ward identity. Power counting. Classification of quantum field theories as renormalizable, super-renormalizable and non-renormalizable theories.

Readings

required readings:

A. Akhiezer and V.B. Beresteckii: Quantum Electrodynamics (Oldbourne Press, 1962)

recommended readings:

C. Itzykson and J.B. Zuber: Quantum Field Theory, McGraw-Hill, New York 1980