QCD as a Theory of Hadrons: From Partons to Confinement

This book provides a pedagogical introduction to quantum chromodynamics (QCD), covering perturbative and non-perturbative aspects. It introduces the basic theory, gauge theory, dimensional regularization, renormalization, deep inelastic scattering, hard processes, power corrections, and modern non-perturbative approaches. It is a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers in high-energy particle and nuclear physics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 812 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive 2004 publication offers a pedagogical introduction to both perturbative and non-perturbative aspects of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). It begins by delving into the fundamental theory of QCD, tracing its historical development from pre-QCD ideas like the quark and parton models, the concept of colors, and the S-matrix approach. The author then explores gauge theory, techniques of dimensional regularization and renormalization, deep inelastic scattering and hard processes in hadron collisions, hadron jets, and e+e– annihilations. Other topics covered include power corrections and the Shifman–Vainshtein–Zakharov operating product expansion. The final chapters focus on modern non-perturbative approaches to QCD and the phenomenological aspects of QCD spectral sum rules. This book serves as an invaluable resource for graduate students and researchers in high-energy particle and nuclear physics, encompassing both theoretical and experimental disciplines. Notably, it has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.

ISBN-13: 9781009290333
Edition number: Revised ed