Quantum Fields — From the Hubble to the Planck Scale

Description

Introduces quantum field theory together with its most important applications to cosmology and astroparticle physics in a coherent framework. Applications such as topological defects, phase transitions, dark matter, external gravitational fields, and black holes help students to bridge the gap between undergraduate courses and research literature.

• Coherent approach leading to a more comprehensive understanding of quantum field theory and cosmology
• Includes discussion of a variety of applications
• Numerous worked examples and problems
• Self-contained and suitable for self-study

About the Author(s)

Michael Kachelriess, Professor of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim

Michael Kachelriess is Professor of Physics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. After receiving his PhD from Ruhr University at Bochum in 1996, he held fellowships at Gran Sasso National Laboratory, the University of Valencia, the Theory Division of CERN, and the Max Planck Institute for Physics in Munich. His research focuses on theoretical astroparticle physics, and he has published widely in this field.

Table of Contents

1:Classical Mechanics
2:Quantum Mechanics
3:Free Scalar Field
4:Scalar Field with Lambda phi 4 Interaction
5:Global Symmetries and Noether's Theorom
6:Space-time Symmetries
7:Spin-1 and Spin-2 Fields
8:Fermions and the Dirac Equation
9:Scattering Processes
10:Gauge Theories
11:Renormalisation I: Perturbation Theory
12:Renormalisation II: Improving Perturbation Theory
13:Symmetries and Symmetry Breaking
14:GSW Model of Electroweak Interactions
15:Thermal Field Theory
16:Phase Transitions and Topological Defects
17:Anomalies, Instantons and Axions
18:Hadrons, Partons and QCD
19:Gravity as a Gauge Theory
20:Cosmological Models for a Homogeneous, Isotropic Universe
21:Thermal Relics
22:Baryogenesis
23:Quantum Fields in Curved Space-Time
24:Inflation
25:Black Holes
26:Cosmological Constant

Reviews

"This book treats two fields of physics that are usually taught separately quantum field theory (QFT) on one side and cosmology and gravitation on the other in a more unified manner. This volume can serve as a textbook for courses in QFT, astroparticle physics and cosmology, and students interested in working at the interface between these fields can certainly appreciate the uncommon approach used." - CERN Courier

"Recommended." - CHOICE

"As a classical textbook, it contains everything to facilitate the preparation of a lecture course or a self-study: many pictures and a lot of exercises. This book is amazingly self-contained. All definitions and all numbers are here. Most of the computations are done from the beginning till the end in all details." - Dmitri V. Vassilevich, Mathematical Review Clippings