An Introduction to Relativistic Quantum Field Theory (Dover Books on Physics) by Silvan S. Schweber | (PDF) Free Download

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“Complete, systematic, self-contained…the usefulness and scope of application of such a work is enormous…combines thorough knowledge with a high degree of didactic ability and a delightful style.” — Mathematical ReviewsIn a relatively simple presentation that remains close to familiar concepts, this text for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students introduces the modern developments of quantum field theory. Starting with a review of the one-particle relativistic wave equations, it proceeds to a second-quantized description of a system of n particles, demonstrating the connection of this approach with the quantization of classical field theories. An examination of the restriction that symmetries impose on Lagrangians follows, along with a survey of their conservation laws. An analysis of simple models of field theories establishes the models’ content, and the problematic aspects of quantized field theories are explored.Succeeding chapters present the Feynman-Dyson perturbation treatment of relativistic field theories, including an account of renormalization theory, and the formulation of field theory in the Heisenberg picture is discussed at length. The book concludes with an account of the axiomatic formulation of field theory and an introduction to dispersion theoretic methods, in addition to a set of problems designed to acquaint readers with aspects of field theory not covered in the text.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The description of this book said it was “illustrated.” It is not. Aside from an occasional Feynman diagram, I could find none. This does not reflect on the author’s performance, but the advertising writer’s should do better.

⭐This text is an extensive study for an elementary subject all we need to know.The exposure and good selection of topics is unreachable for other texts.I advice this for its quality and good price

⭐In Memoriam:Silvan S. Schweber (10 April 1928 – 14 May 2017).On textbooks generally, physicist Hans Bethe held that “they are useful, not immortal.” (Kaiser, page 262). On Schweber’s textbook, Hans Bethe wrote: “emphasizes general principles such as symmetry, invariance, isotopic spin.” Given the original publication date of this text (1961) one finds no path integrals or quarks. Also, neutrinos are supposed massless (presented is a watertight proof that “the mass of the neutrino is rigorously zero.” page 300 ! ). Fermi, Feynman and Gell-Mann dominate discussion of weak interactions (no gauge Bosons). No detailed group theory, no gravity (see Zee), no magnetic monopoles or unification (good: as this allows a more defined focus). In that respect this text can not serve as introduction to more modern views. Sadly, until I had perused Kaiser’s book Drawing Theories Apart, I had not devoted time on this textbook (I had read Schweber’s authoritative: QED And The Men Who Made It). I rated this textbook four stars, not because it is timely or immortal, but because it is useful. Modern works tend to ignore it as a reference. I highlight its usefulness:(1) Highlights: chapter one (quantum mechanics review), chapter two (Poincare and relativity), Chapter seven (Fock space, the section entitled “connection with field theory”). Also, chapter nine (Gupta/Bleuler formalism), chapter eleven (scattering) remains relevant to an advanced course. Note: physical constants (h, c) are retained certain in formulas.(2) Feynman diagrams: As Kaiser’s book points out, this text was one of the earlier expositions to utilize diagrammatic techniques. Now, I would not advise a modern student to use this book exclusively for that need (for that: utilize Veltman, Peskin & Schroeder). We read: “No review of Feynman’s work can do full justice to the clarity, simplicity, and elegance of his original papers. The reader is urged to study these papers.” (page 462). And, I urge the modern student to do so !(3) It is interesting to compare Schweber to the much later Peskin & Schroeder. You are here presented a derivation of the Rutherford scattering formula (page 453). Peskin and Schroeder approach that through their multi-step problem (page 129, #4.4 a through c). Compton scattering (Schweber pages 487-489) is compared and contrasted to Compton scattering (Peskin & Schroeder, pages 158-159) ! One delights in direct comparison between the two textbooks. Note differing conventions for the Feynman diagrams.(4) Meet creation and annihilation operators in chapter six. Vacuum state defined (page 132). Read here: “the non-vanishing of the propagator outside the light-cone” (page 182) then read, Peskin and Schroeder (page 28). Schweber presents discussion of “canonical quantization of the electromagnetic field” (chapter nine) and this is not found in Peskin and Schroeder ( “we will not discuss canonical quantization of the electromagnetic field at all in this book,” page 79). If you want it, Schweber is a good place to get it.(5) I highlight discussion of Tomonaga and Schwinger formalism (pages 419-423): “What is unphysical is the assumption that Hermitian field operators defined at precise space-time points exist and are measurable in the ordinary quantum mechanical sense.” Also, “The direction of time is as indicated and the direction of the lines may not be topologically distorted. This is what is meant by the adjective ‘time-ordered.” (page 421 and 424 respectively, regards diagrams). You will not get Schwinger action principle.(6) Discussions of renormalization permeates the text: “do solutions exist of the renormalized equations ? We shall present conjectures that have been advanced as answers to these questions in the next chapter (17).” The following chapter (18) presents Axiomatic Formulation (compare this chapter to the treatise of Todorov, et.al., Axiomatic Quantum Field Theory, 1975). Read: “the renormalization method lies almost wholly outside the bounds of conventional mathematics.” (page 721) and “Whether physical particles and their interactions can be accounted for by a description in terms of local operators remains, at present, an open question.” (page 723).(7) A student should try exercises, placed here at the end of the text: “Feynman has given a formulation of quantum mechanics which makes explicit the notion that quantum theory basically describes processes, in terms of integration over paths. Show that this formulation corresponds to the usual one of vectors in Hilbert space and discuss.” Also, “Discuss as thoroughly as possible the eigenfuctions and eigenvalues of a Lorentz transformation.” “Obtain the solutions of the Dirac equation in the presence of a homogeneous time-independent electric (the same for magnetic) field.” “Verify that the angular momentum operator for the scalar field is given by…then, obtain for Dirac field.” “Obtain explicit representation of each of the singular functions in terms of Bessel, Hankel, Neumann functions.” And, finally: “Discuss the effect on the transition rate of the invariance of Hamiltonian under T (time), and TPC (i.e., antiunitary operators).”(8) Bibliography spans 40 pages. Problem-sets accompanied by reference to primary sources ! There is a lot of information (900 pages, 1961). This is an interesting portrait of the subject for its time, sometimes neglected as reference in modern textbooks (a pity). If the modern student cares nothing of historical antecedents, then the book will be ignored. If the student cares to indulge in carefully written prose and certain topics of continuing efficacy, then I recommend its perusal (likewise, Dyson’s Advanced Quantum Mechanics or Mandl’s Introduction to Quantum Field Theory).

⭐One of the best textbooks in quantum field theory. Very clearly written, no cutting corners. Mathematics is there but author never looses the main aim – the physics of quantum field theory. Really recommend to solve the problems. The chapter about exactly solvable models is unique.The trio of textbooks by Schweber, Henley&Thirring and Bjorken&Drell gives a great and concise introduction in quantum filed theory. Recommend to any beginner. As I see it, Schweber’s textbook has the best mixture of mathematics and physics of quantum field theory.

⭐There are numerous textbooks in Quantum Field Theory. Most of them are very accurate and complete in describing the mathematical apparatus of QFT. Unfortunately, very few are the ones which explain the physics aspects of QFT in details. For a beginner (as well as for an “expert”) the physics aspects of QFT are usually elusive and hard to understand. Schweber’s textbook is unique in a sense that both mathematics and physics features of QFT are lucidly described and explained.I would strongly recommend to solve the problems from the book; most of them address the “physics feature” of QFT, and the reader will benefit immensely by analyzing these problems .There are some other very good textbooks; I would single out Walter Thirring – “Principles of Quantum Electrodynamics”, Ernest Henley and Walter Thirring – “Elementary Quantum Field Theory”, Gunnar Kallen – “Quantum Electrodynamics”, James Bjorken and Sidney Drell – “Relativistic Quantum Fields” etc, but, as I see it, only Schweber’s and Weinberg’s monographies are the complete and complementary (physics & mathematics) description of Quantum Field Theory.

⭐As I re-learn quantum field theory, I’ve sorted through almost all the standard texts. I have gained a new appreciation of Schweber’s book. It contains many detailed calculations that are hard to find elsewhere. It is long because it does out calculations, clearly and carefully. If nothing else, it is a really good reference to have at hand as you work through newer texts.

⭐this book dates back to 1961 …if you want to buy an affordable dover published book which is much more current i recommend the Itzikson and Zuber QFT book

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