The Quantum Theory of Fields

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Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2005-05-09
Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press
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Summary

In this second volume of The Quantum Theory of Fields, available for the first time in paperback, Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg continues his masterly expoistion of quantum theory. Volume 2 provides an up-to-date and self-contained account of the methods of quantum field theory, and how they have led to an understanding of the weak, strong, and electromagnetic interactions of the elementary particles. The presentation of modern mathematical methods is throughout interwoven with accounts of the problems of elementary particle physics and condensed matter physics to which they have been applied. Exercises are included at the end of each chapter.

Table of Contents

Preface to Volume II xvii
Notation xx
Non-Abelian Gauge Theories
1(62)
Gauge Invariance
2(5)
Gauge transformations
Structure constants
Jacobi identity
Adjoint representation
Yang--Mills theory
Covariant derivatives
Field strength tensor
Finite gauge transformations
Analogy with general relativity
Gauge Theory Lagrangians and Simple Lie Groups
7(5)
Gauge field Lagrangian
Metric
Antisymmetric structure constants
Simple, semisimple, and U(1) Lie algebras
Structure of gauge algebra
Compact algebras
Coupling constants
Field Equations and Conservation Laws
12(2)
Conserved currents
Covariantly conserved currents
Inhomogeneous field equations
Homogeneous field equations
Analogy with energy-momentum tensor
Symmetry generators
Quantization
14(5)
Primary and secondary first-class constraints
Axial gauge
Gribov ambiguity
Canonical variables
Hamiltonian
Reintroduction of Aα0
Covariant action
Gauge invariance of the measure
The De Witt--Faddeev--Popov Method
19(5)
Generalization of axial gauge results
Independence of gauge fixing functionals
Generalized Feynman gauge
Form of vertices
Ghosts
24(3)
Determinant as path integral
Ghost and antighost fields
Feynman rules for ghosts
Modified action
Power counting and renormalizability
BRST Symmetry
27(9)
Auxiliary field hα
BRST transformation
Nilpotence
Invariance of new action
BRST-cohomology
Independence of gauge fixing
Application to electrodynamics
BRST-quantization
Geometric interpretation
Generalizations of BRST Symmetry
36(6)
De Witt notation
General Faddeev--Popov--De Witt theorem
BRST transformations
New action
Slavnov operator
Field-dependent structure constants
Generalized Jacobi identity
Invariance of new action
Independence of gauge fixing
Beyond quadratic ghost actions
BRST quantization
BRST cohomology
Anti-BRST symmetry
The Batalin--Vilkovisky Formalism
42(21)
Open gauge algebras
Antifields
Master equation
Minimal fields and trivial pairs
BRST-transformations with antifields
Antibrackets
Anticanonical transformations
Gauge fixing
Quantum master equation
Appendix A A Theorem Regarding Lie Algebras
50(4)
Appendix B The Cartan Catalog
54(4)
Problems
58(1)
References
59(4)
External Field Methods
63(17)
The Quantum Effective Action
63(5)
Currents
Generating functional for all graphs
Generating functional for connected graphs
Legendre transformation
Generating functional for one-particle-irreducible graphs
Quantum-corrected field equations
Summing tree graphs
Calculation of the Effective Potential
68(4)
Effective potential for constant fields
One loop calculation
Divergences
Renormalization
Fermion loops
Energy Interpretation
72(3)
Adiabatic perturbation
Effective potential as minimum energy
Convexity
Instability between local minima
Linear interpolation
Symmetries of the Effective Action
75(5)
Symmetry and renormalization
Slavnov-Taylor identities
Linearly realized symmetries
Fermionic fields and currents
Problems
78(1)
References
78(2)
Renormalization of Gauge Theories
80(31)
The Zinn-Justin Equation
80(2)
Slavnov--Taylor identities for BRST symmetry
External fields Kn(x)
Antibrackets
Renormalization: Direct Analysis
82(9)
Recursive argument
BRST-symmetry condition on infinities
Linearity in Kn(x)
New BRST symmetry
Cancellation of infinities
Renormalization constants
Nonlinear gauge conditions
Renormalization: General Gauge Theories
91(4)
Are `non-renormalizable' gauge theories renormalizable?
Structural constraints
Anticanonical change of variables
Recursive argument
Cohomology theorems
Background Field Gauge
95(5)
New gauge fixing functions
True and formal gauge invariance
Renormalization constants
A One-Loop Calculation in Background Field Gauge
100(11)
One-loop effective action
Determinants
Algebraic calculation for constant background fields
Renormalization of gauge fields and couplings
Interpretation of infinities
Problems
109(1)
References
110(1)
Renormalization Group Methods
111(52)
Where do the Large Logarithms Come From?
112(7)
Singularities at zero mass
`Infrared safe' amplitudes and rates
Jets
Zero mass singularities from renormalization
Renormalized operators
The Sliding Scale
119(11)
Gell-Mann--Low renormalization
Renormalization group equation
One-loop calculations
Application to φ4 theory
Field renormalization factors
Application to quantum electrodynamics
Effective fine structure constant
Field-dependent renormalized couplings
Vacuum instability
Varieties of Asymptotic Behavior
130(9)
Singularities at finite energy
Continued growth
Fixed point at finite coupling
Asymptotic freedom
Lattice quantization
Triviality
Universal coefficients in the beta function
Multiple Couplings and Mass Effects
139(6)
Behavior near a fixed point
Invariant eigenvalues
Nonrenormalizable theories
Finite dimensional critical surfaces
Mass renormalization at zero mass
Renormalization group equations for masses
Critical Phenomena
145(3)
Low wave numbers
Relevant, irrelevant, and marginal couplings
Phase transitions and critical surfaces
Critical temperature
Behavior of correlation length
Critical exponent
4 -- ε dimensions
Wilson--Fisher fixed point
Comparison with experiment
Universality classes
Minimal Subtraction
148(4)
Definition of renormalized coupling
Calculation of beta function
Application to electrodynamics
Modified minimal subtraction
Non-renormalizable interactions
Quantum Chromodynamics
152(5)
Quark colors and flavors
Calculation of beta function
Asymptotic freedom
Quark and gluon trapping
Jets
e+ -e- annihilation into hadrons
Accidental symmetries
Non-renormalizable corrections
Behavior of gauge coupling
Experimental results for gs and Λ
Improved Perturbation Theory
157(6)
Leading logarithms
Coefficients of logarithms
Problems
158(1)
References
159(4)
Spontaneously Broken Global Symmetries
163(89)
Degenerate Vacua
163(4)
Degenerate minima of effective potential
Broken symmetry or symmetric superpositions?
Large systems
Factorization at large distances
Diagonalization of vacuum expectation values
Cluster decomposition
Goldstone Bosons
167(10)
Broken global symmetries imply massless bosons
Proof using effective potential
Proof using current algebra
F factors and vacuum expectation values
Interactions of soft Goldstone bosons
Spontaneously Broken Approximate Symmetries
177(5)
Pseudo-Goldstone bosons
Tadpoles
Vacuum alignment
Mass matrix
Positivity
Pions as Goldstone Bosons
182(10)
SU(2) x SU(2) chiral symmetry of quantum chromodynamics
Breakdown to isospin
Vector and axial-vector weak currents
Pion decay amplitude
Axial form factors of nucleon
Goldberger-Treiman relation
Vacuum alignment
Quark and pion masses
Soft pion interactions
Historical note
Effective Field Theories: Pions and Nucleons
192(19)
Current algebra for two soft pions
Current algebra justification for effective Lagrangian
σ-model
Transformation to derivative coupling
Nonlinear realization of SU(2) x SU(2)
Effective Lagrangian for soft pions
Direct justification of effective Lagrangian
General effective Lagrangian for pions
Power counting
Pion--pion scattering for massless pions
Identification of F-factor
Pion mass terms in effective Lagrangian
Pion--pion scattering for real pions
Pion--pion scattering lengths
Pion--nucleon effective Lagrangian
Covariant derivatives
gA ≠ 1
Power counting with nucleons
Pion-nucleon scattering lengths
σ-terms
Isospin violation
Adler--Weisberger sum rule
Effective Field Theories: General Broken Symmetries
211(14)
Transformation to derivative coupling
Goldstone bosons and right cosets
Symmetric spaces
Cartan decomposition
Nonlinear transformation rules
Uniqueness
Covariant derivatives
Symmetry breaking terms
Application to quark mass terms
Power counting
Order parameters
Effective Field Theories: SU(3) x SU(3)
225(9)
SU(3) multiplets and matrices
Goldstone bosons of broken SU(3) x SU(3)
Quark mass terms
Pseudoscalar meson masses
Electromagnetic corrections
Quark mass ratios
Higher terms in Lagrangian
Nucleon mass shifts
Anomalous Terms in Effective Field Theories
234(4)
Wess--Zumino--Witten term
Five-dimensional form
Integer coupling
Uniqueness and de Rham cohomology
Unbroken Symmetries
238(5)
Persistent mass conjecture
Vafa--Witten proof
Small non-degenerate quark masses
The U(1) Problem
243(9)
Chiral U(1) symmetry
Implications for pseudoscalar masses
Problems
246(1)
References
247(5)
Operator Product Expansions
252(43)
The Expansion: Description and Derivation
253(2)
Statement of expansion
Dominance of simple operators
Path-integral derivation
Momentum Flow
255(8)
φ2 contribution for two large momenta
Renormalized operators
Integral equation for coefficient function
φ2 contribution for many large momenta
Renormalization Group Equations for Coefficient Functions
263(2)
Derivation and solution
Behavior for fixed points
Behavior for asymptotic freedom
Symmetry Properties of Coefficient Functions
265(1)
Invariance under spontaneously broken symmetries
Spectral Function Sum Rules
266(6)
Spectral functions defined
First, second, and third sum rules
Application to chiral SU(N) x SU(N)
Comparison with experiment
Deep Inelastic Scattering
272(11)
Form factors W1 and W2
Deep inelastic differential cross section
Bjorken scaling
Parton model
Callan--Gross relation
Sum rules
Form factors T1 and T2
Relation between Tr and Wr
Symmetric tensor operators
Twist
Operators of minimum twist
Calculation of coefficient functions
Sum rules for parton distribution functions
Altarelli--Parisi differential equations
Logarithmic corrections to Bjorken scaling
Renormalons
283(12)
Borel summation of perturbation theory
Instanton and renormalon obstructions
Instantons in massless φ4 theory
Renormalons in quantum chromodynamics
Appendix Momentum Flow: The General Case
288(4)
Problems
292(1)
References
293(2)
Spontaneously Broken Gauge Symmetries
295(64)
Unitarity Gauge
295(5)
Elimination of Goldstone bosons
Vector boson masses
Unbroken symmetries and massless vector bosons
Complex representations
Vector field propagator
Continuity for vanishing gauge couplings
Renormalizable ξ-Gauges
300(5)
Gauge fixing function
Gauge-fixed Lagrangian
Propagators
The Electroweak Theory
305(13)
Lepton-number preserving symmetries
SU(2) x U(1)
W±, Z0, and photons
Mixing angle
Lepton-vector boson couplings
W± and Z0 masses
Muon decay
Effective fine structure constant
Discovery of neutral currents
Quark currents
Cabibbo angle
c quark
Third generation
Kobayashi--Maskawa matrix
Discovery of W± and Z0
Precise experimental tests
Accidental symmetries
Nonrenormalizable corrections
Lepton nonconservation and neutrino masses
Baryon nonconservation and proton decay
Dynamically Broken Local Symmetries
318(9)
Fictitious gauge fields
Construction of Lagrangian
Power counting
General mass formula
Example: SU(2) x SU(2)
Custodial SU(2) x SU(2)
Technicolor
Electroweak--Strong Unification
327(5)
Simple gauge groups
Relations among gauge couplings
Renormalization group flow
Mixing angle and unification mass
Baryon and lepton nonconservation
Superconductivity
332(27)
U(1) broken to Z2
Goldstone mode
Effective Lagrangian
Conservation of charge
Meissner effect
Penetration depth
Critical field
Flux quantization
Zero resistance
ac Josephson effect
Landau--Ginzburg theory
Correlation length
Vortex lines
U(1) restoration
Stability
Type I and II superconductors
Critical fields for vortices
Behavior near vortex center
Effective theory for electrons near Fermi surface
Power counting
Introduction of pair field
Effective action
Gap equation
Renormalization group equations
Conditions for superconductivity
Appendix General Unitarity Gauge
352(1)
Problems
353(1)
References
354(5)
Anomalies
359(62)
The π0 Decay Problem
359(3)
Rate for π0 → 2γ
Naive estimate
Suppression by chiral symmetry
Comparison with experiment
Transformation of the Measure: The Abelian Anomaly
362(8)
Chiral and non-chiral transformations
Anomaly function
Chern--Pontryagin density
Nonconservation of current
Conservation of gauge-non-invariant current
Calculation of π0 → 2γ
Euclidean calculation
Atiyah--Singer index theorem
Direct Calculation of Anomalies: The General Case
370(13)
Fermion non-conserving currents
Triangle graph calculation
Shift vectors
Symmetric anomaly
Bardeen form
Adler--Bardeen theorem
Massive fermions
Another approach
Global anomalies
Anomaly-Free Gauge Theories
383(6)
Gauge anomalies must vanish
Real and pseudoreal representations
Safe groups
Anomaly cancellation in standard model
Gravitational anomalies
Hypercharge assignments
Another U(1)?
Massless Bound States
389(7)
Composite quarks and leptons?
Unbroken chiral symmetries
't Hooft anomaly matching conditions
Anomaly matching for unbroken chiral SU(n) x SU(n) with SU(N) gauge group
The case N = 3
Chiral SU(3) x SU(3) must be broken
't Hooft decoupling condition
Persistent mass condition
Consistency Conditions
396(12)
Wess--Zumino conditions
BRST cohomology
Derivation of symmetric anomaly
Descent equations
Solution of equations
Schwinger terms
Anomalies in Zinn-Justin equation
Antibracket cohomology
Algebraic proof of anomaly absence for safe groups
Anomalies and Goldstone Bosons
408(13)
Anomaly matching
Solution of anomalous Slavnov--Taylor identities
Uniqueness
Anomalous Goldstone boson interactions
The case SU(3) x SU(3)
Derivation of Wess--Zumino--Witten interaction
Evaluation of integer coefficient
Generalization
Problems
416(1)
References
417(4)
Extended Field Configurations
421(57)
The Uses of Topology
422(8)
Topological classifications
Homotopy
Skyrmions
Derrick's theorem
Domain boundaries
Bogomol'nyi inequality
Cosmological problems
Instantons
Monopoles and vortex lines
Symmetry restoration
Homotopy Groups
430(6)
Multiplication rule for π1(M)
Associativity
Inverses
π1(S1)
Topological conservation laws
Multiplication rule for πk(M)
Winding number
Monopoles
436(9)
SU(2)/U(1) model
Winding number
Electromagnetic field
Magnetic monopole moment
Kronecker index
't Hooft--Polyakov monopole
Another Bogomol'nyi inequality
BPS monopole
Dirac gauge
Charge quantization
G/(H' x U(1)) monopoles
Cosmological problems
Monopole--particle interactions
G/H monopoles with G not simply connected
Irrelevance of field content
The Cartan--Maurer Integral Invariant
445(5)
Definition of the invariant
Independence of coordinate system
Topological invariance
Additivity
Integral invariant for S1 → U(1)
Bott's theorem
Integral invariant for S3 → SU(2)
Instantons
450(5)
Evaluation of Cartan--Maurer invariant
Chern--Pontryagin density
One more Bogomol'nyi inequality
v = 1 solution
General winding number
Solution of U(1) problem
Baryon and lepton non-conservation by electroweak instantons
Minkowskian approach
Barrier penetration
Thermal fluctuations
The Theta Angle
455(7)
Cluster decomposition
Superposition of winding numbers
P and CP non-conservation
Complex fermion masses
Suppression of P and CP non-conservation by small quark masses
Neutron electric dipole moment
Peccei--Quinn symmetry
Axions
Axion mass
Axion interactions
Quantum Fluctuations around Extended Field Configurations
462(2)
Fluctuations in general
Collective parameters
Determinental factor
Coupling constant dependence
Counting collective parameters
Vacuum Decay
464(14)
False and true vacua
Bounce solutions
Four dimensional rotational invariance
Sign of action
Decay rate per volume
Thin wall approximation
Appendix A Euclidean Path Integrals
468(4)
Appendix B A List of Homotopy Groups
472(1)
Problems
473(1)
References
474(4)
Author Index 478(6)
Subject Index 484

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