OVERVIEW

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the physics of relativistic processes and the field theories that describe fundamental interactions. The course will review the necessary concepts of field theory, beginning with the study of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) and then moving on to non-Abelian gauge theories, the Standard Model of Electroweak Interactions, and Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Some phenomenological aspects of the Standard Model will be explored in depth, and the final part of the course, starting with the theoretical description of neutrino mass, will provide an overview of current research directions in this field.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to illustrate the construction of the standard unification model of electromagnetic and weak interactions and the theory of strong interactions from the perspective of quantum field theory, starting with relevant experimental observations. Emphasis will be given to the applications and main directions of extension of the theory.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the fundamental concepts related to gauge invariance and spontaneous symmetry breaking in quantum field theories;

• Apply tools from the perturbative approach to quantum field theories;

• Describe the construction of the Standard Model of elementary particle physics and its phenomenological implications;

• Calculate tree-level Feynman diagrams within the Standard Model and interpret the results;

• Use symbolic computation tools (such as Mathematica software) to manipulate complex expressions and perform analytical calculations.

PREREQUISITES

Foundations of quantum field theory, as provided by the Theoretical Physics course.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures at the blackboard accompanied by examples and exercises. Some presentations will also make use of slides.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Review and additional aspects of covariant perturbation theory. Feynman diagrams. LSZ formalism.

2. Electrodynamics as a gauge theory. Scattering examples in QED at tree level. Ward-Takahashi identities.

3. Non-Abelian gauge theories: properties, Lie algebras, SU(2), SU(3), SU(N). First applications: the R-ratio.

4. Spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Goldstone theorem. The physics of pions.

5. The birth of the Standard Model: SU(2), SU(2)×U(1). The Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism: Abelian and non-Abelian cases.

6. The Standard Model Lagrangian: bosonic part, fermionic part with massless fermions, Yukawa terms. The Lagrangian in the mass eigenstate basis and the origin of CKM mixing. Phenomenological applications: cross-sections and decays.

7. Neutrino physics: PMNS mixing, Dirac mass, Majorana mass, Seesaw mechanism.

8. Physics beyond the Standard Model: neutrino masses as the first sign of BSM physics, Seesaw models; overview of supersymmetric theories, grand unified theories; top-down vs. bottom-up approaches and effective Lagrangians; overview of other open problems: dark matter, dark energy, baryogenesis, strong CP problem, etc.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Carlo M. Becchi and Giovanni Ridolfi, "An Introduction to Relativistic Processes and the Standard Model of Electroweak Interactions", Springer

• Matthew Schwartz, "Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model", Cambridge University Press

• Michael E. Peskin and Daniel V. Schroeder, "An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory", Perseus Books

• Ta-Pei Cheng and Ling-Fong Li, "Gauge Theory of Elementary Particle Physics", Oxford Science Publications

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral examination.

For students with disabilities or learning disorders (DSA), refer to the “Further information” section.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam involves presenting a topic covered during the course and answering several questions designed to verify the student’s understanding and knowledge of the material. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.