OVERVIEW

This course focuses on quantum electrodynamics (QED) and it studies its fundamental properties, underlying similarities and differences with other quantum field theories that describe the fundamental interactions in the Standard Model, such as QCD and the electro-weak theory. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this course, we study radiative corrections in quantum field theory, which is the theoretical tool that allows us to arrive at a quantitative understanding of high-energy physics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this course, the student will be able to

• describe the basic concepts related to renormalisation in quantum field theory;
• apply perturbative techniques to compute observables in quantum field theory;
• compute Feynman diagrams at one loop and interpret the results;
• use symbolic-calculus computer programs (e.g Mathematica) to manipulate compliicated expressions and perform analytic calculations of Feynman diagrams.

PREREQUISITES

The basics of quantum field theory presented in the Theoretical Physics course.

TEACHING METHODS

Blackboard lectures and slides.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Review of covariant perturbation theory. Feynman diagrams. LSZ formalism.
2. Quantum Electrodynamics as a gauge theory. An example of a QED process at tree-level. Ward-Takahashi identities.
3. An introduction to renormalisation. Loop integrals and their regularisation. Renormalisation schemes. 
4. Radiative corrections in QED at 1 loop: correction to the fermion propagator. Correction to the vertex function and g-2. Vacuum polarisation. 
5. Renormalised perturbation theory. Running coupling. An example of a QED process at next-to-leading order.
6. The infrared region: soft photons. 
7. Towards collider phenomenology: Breit-Wigner approximation and Higgs decay into two photons.
8. Usage of symbolic computation languages (mathematica) to evaluate Feynman diagrams.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Recommended textbook

-M. Schwartz: “Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model”

Other textbooks

-M. Maggiore: “A modern introduction to Quantum Field Theory”

-S. Weinberg: “The Quantum Theory of Fields Vol 1”

-M. Peskin and D. Schroeder: “An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory”

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SIMONE MARZANI (President)

ANDREA AMORETTI

CARLA BIGGIO

STEFANO GIUSTO

NICOLA MAGGIORE

PAOLO SOLINAS

RICCARDO TORRE

GIOVANNI RIDOLFI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

 https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/9012/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam about the topics of the syllabus.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will last about 40mins. Every student will be asked to present a topic from the syllabus and questions will be asked in order to assess the student's understanding of the material. During the lectures, students will be given the opportunity to solve problems and exercises, as a means of self-evaluation.

Exam schedule