E-Book, Englisch, 352 Seiten
Merches / Tatomir / Lupu Basics of Quantum Electrodynamics
Erscheinungsjahr 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4665-8038-1
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)
E-Book, Englisch, 352 Seiten
ISBN: 978-1-4665-8038-1
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)
Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the branch of relativistic quantum field theory that deals specifically with the interactions between charged particles. It is widely used to solve problems in many areas of physics, such as elementary particles, atomic and molecular systems, and solid state physics. This accessible text, Basics of Quantum Electrodynamics, supplies a solid foundation in this dynamic area of physics, making a direct connection to the concepts of quantum mechanics familiar to the advanced undergraduate student.
Chapters cover the general theory of free fields and the quantization of the scalar, electromagnetic, and spinorial fields, which prepares readers for understanding field interactions. The authors describe the general theory of field interactions, introducing the scattering matrix and the Feynman–Dyson graphs. They then discuss divergence-free second-order processes, such as Compton and Møller scattering, followed by divergent second-order processes, which cover vacuum polarization and mass and charge renormalization.
Providing a modern, informative textbook, this volume illustrates the intimate connection between quantum mechanics and QED in two basic steps: the quantization of free fields, followed by the theory of their interactions. The text contains solved problems to facilitate the application of the theory, as well as a useful appendix on the theory of distributions. The step-by-step description of the quantization of various fields and the clear presentation of the most important interaction processes in QED make this textbook a useful guide for those studying physics at both the graduate and undergraduate level, as well as a reference for teachers and researchers in the field.
Zielgruppe
Undergraduate and graduate students in physics, engineering, and physical chemistry.
Autoren/Hrsg.
Fachgebiete
Weitere Infos & Material
General Field Theory
Basic field equations
Infinitesimal Lorentz Transformation
Transformation of the quantities U(r) in particular cases
Invariance of the Lagrangian density under infinitesimal Lorentz transformation
The energy-momentum tensor of a field
The angular momentum tensor of a field
Symmetry transformations
Phase transformations
General Problems of Field Quantization
Necessity of field quantization
Commutation and anti-commutation relations. Emission and absorption operators
Commutation relations and the Bose-Einstein statistics
Anti-commutation relations and the Fermi-Dirac statistics
Alternative methods of field quantization
Notations and units in QFT
The Quantization of the Scalar Field
The Lagrangian formalism
Momentum representation
Momentum, energy and charge of the complex scalar field in momentum representation
Commutators of the free scalar field
Products of operators
Vacuum states. The Fock representation
Wick’s theorems
The Quantization of the Electromagnetic Field
Lagrangian formalism
Momentum representation
Momentum, energy and spin of the electromagnetic field in momentum representation
Commutators of the free electromagnetic field
The indefinite metric formalism
The Lorentz-Fermi condition
The Quantization of the Spinorial Field
The Dirac equation and the algebra of gamma matrices
Lagrangian formalism
The free particle in the Dirac theory
Energy, momentum, charge and spin of the free spinorial field in momentum representation
Anti-commutators of the free spinorial field
Products of spinorial operators
General Problems of Field Interactions
Generalities
The S-matrix
Choice of the interaction Lagrangian density
The Feynman-Dyson diagrams
Examples of Feynman-Dyson diagrams
Transition probability
Scattering cross section
Non-Divergent Second-Order Processes
Transition probability for Compton scattering
Differential cross section for Compton scattering
Electron-positron annihilation
Transition probability for Møller scattering
Møller scattering cross section
Photon-photon scattering with electron-positron pair production
Electron-positron scattering
Divergent Second-Order Processes
Self-energy diagram of the electron
Self-energy diagram of the photon. The vacuum polarization
Mass and charge renormalization
Appendix. Distributions
Unidimensional delta function
Various representations of the delta function
Some functions related to delta
Functions Dm+ and Dm-
Functions Dm and ˜Dm
Functions D0, ˜D0, D0+, D0-
Functions S, ˜S, S+, S-
Retarded and advanced functions
Causal functions
Problems with Solutions
References
Subject Index
