Written by world-leading experts in particle physics, this new book from Luciano Maiani and Omar Benhar, with contributions from the late Nicola Cabibbo, is based on Feynman’s path integrals. Key elements of gauge theories are described—Feynman diagrams, gauge-fixing, Faddeev-Popov ghosts—as well as renormalization in Quantum Electrodynamics. Quarks and QCD interactions are introduced. Renormalization group and high momentum behaviour of the coupling constants is discussed in QED and QCD, with asymptotic freedom derived at one-loop. These concepts are related to the Higgs boson and models of grand unification. "... an excellent introduction to the quantum theory of gauge fields and their applications to particle physics. ... It will be an excellent book for the serious student and a good reference for the professional practitioner. Let me add that, scattered through the pages, we can find occasional traces of Nicola Cabibbo's style." —John Iliopoulos, CNRS-Ecole Normale Supérieure " ... The volume ends with an illuminating description of the expectation generated by the recent discovery of the Higgs boson, combined with the lack of evidence for super-symmetric particles in the mass range 0.6-1 TeV." —Arturo Menchaca-Rocha, FinstP, Professor of Physics, Mexico’s National Autonomous University, Former President of the Mexican Academy of Sciences, Presidential Advisor "...The reader is masterfully guided through the subtleties of the quantum field theory and elementary particle physics from simple examples in Quantum Mechanics to salient details of modern theory." —Mikhail Voloshin, Professor of Physics, University of Minnesota

This completely revised and updated graduate-level textbook is an ideal introduction to gauge theories and their applications to high-energy particle physics, and takes an in-depth look at two new laws of nature--quantum chromodynamics and the electroweak theory. From quantum electrodynamics through unified theories of the interactions among leptons and quarks, Chris Quigg examines the logic and structure behind gauge theories and the experimental underpinnings of today's theories. Quigg emphasizes how we know what we know, and in the era of the Large Hadron Collider, his insightful survey of the standard model and the next great questions for particle physics makes for compelling reading. The brand-new edition shows how the electroweak theory developed in conversation with experiment. Featuring a wide-ranging treatment of electroweak symmetry breaking, the physics of the Higgs boson, and the importance of the 1-TeV scale, the book moves beyond established knowledge and investigates the path toward unified theories of strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions. Explicit calculations and diverse exercises allow readers to derive the consequences of these theories. Extensive annotated bibliographies accompany each chapter, amplify points of conceptual or technical interest, introduce further applications, and lead readers to the research literature. Students and seasoned practitioners will profit from the text's current insights, and specialists wishing to understand gauge theories will find the book an ideal reference for self-study. Brand-new edition of a landmark text introducing gauge theories Consistent attention to how we know what we know Explicit calculations develop concepts and engage with experiment Interesting and diverse problems sharpen skills and ideas Extensive annotated bibliographies

Acquaints readers with the main concepts and literature of elementary particle physics and quantum field theory. In particular, the book is concerned with the elaboration of gauge field theories in nuclear physics; the possibility of creating fundamental new states of matter such as an extended quark-gluon plasma in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions; and the relation of gauge theories to the creation and evolution of the universe. Divided into three parts, it opens with an introduction to the general principles of relativistic quantum field theory followed by the essential ingredients of gauge fields for weak and electromagnetic interactions, quantum chromodynamics and strong interactions. The third part is concerned with the interface between modern elementary particle physics and "applied disciplines" such as nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology. Includes references and numerous exercises.

This book introduces a large number of topics in lattice gauge theories, including analytical as well as numerical methods. It provides young physicists with the theoretical background and basic computational tools in order to be able to follow the extensive literature on the subject, and to carry out research on their own. Whenever possible, the basic ideas and technical inputs are demonstrated in simple examples, so as to avoid diverting the readers' attention from the main line of thought. Sufficient technical details are however given so that he can fill in the remaining details with the help of the cited literature without too much effort.This volume is designed for graduate students in theoretical elementary particle physics or statistical mechanics with a basic knowledge in Quantum Field Theory.

Four forces are dominant in physics: gravity, electromagnetism and the weak and strong nuclear forces. Quantum electrodynamics - the highly successful theory of the electromagnetic interaction - is a gauge field theory. In this short book Dr Aitchison gives an introduction to these theories, a knowledge of which is essential in understanding modern particle physics.

- Wherever possible simple examples, which illustrate the main ideas, are provided before embarking on the actual discussion of the problem of interest - The book introduces the readers to problems of great current interest, like instantons, calorons, vortices, magnetic monopoles - QCD at finite temperature is discussed at great length, both in perturbation theory and in Monte Carlo simulations - The book contains many figures showing numerical results of pioneering work

In recent years, gauge fields have attracted much attention in elementary par ticle physics. The reason is that great progress has been achieved in solving a number of important problems of field theory and elementary particle physics by means of the quantum theory of gauge fields. This refers, in particular, to constructing unified gauge models and theory of strong interactions between the elementary particles. This book expounds the fundamentals of the quantum theory of gauge fields and its application for constructing unified gauge models and the theory of strong interactions. In writing the book, the authors' aim was three-fold: firstly, to outline the basic ideas underlying the unified gauge models and the theory of strong inter actions; secondly, to discuss the major unified gauge models, the theory of strong interactions and their experimental implications; and, thirdly, to acquaint the reader with a rather special mathematical approach (path-in tegral method) which has proved to be well suited for constructing the quantum theory of gauge fields. Gauge fields are a vigorously developing area. In this book, we have select ed for presentation the more or less traditional and commonly accepted mate rial. There also exist a number of different approaches which are presently being developed. The most important of them are touched upon in the Conclusion.