• PHYS6004 (Advanced Quantum Field Theory)

Extremely brief overview to QED. First, covers a recap of Dirac theory. Then states quantisation of Dirac and photon fields (without proof). Feynman rules are motivated and stated (not derived) - we will see the derivation in the later parts of the course. Finally, a semi-relativistic treatment of the Lamb shift is given (following paper of Bethe), which shows an example of infinities in the theory and how to deal with them (renormalisation)

Lecture Notes:

• 01: Dirac theory: recap
• 02: QED overview, Feynman rules
• 03: Semi-relativistic treatment of Lamb shift, renormalisation
• Note: some typos, sign mistakes — will be fixed “soon”

Texts:

• Peskin & Schroeder, An Introduction To Quantum Field Theory
  • Main book for the course, available as pdf from library
• Sakurai, Advanced Quantum Mechanics
  • A little dated, but very nice. Available from library