What Is a Quantum Field Theory?

Quantum field theory (QFT) is a mathematical framework that describes the behavior of particles at the quantum level. This book is written for mathematicians with a mathematical background who want to learn about QFT and for physics students seeking greater rigor than they typically find in their courses. It covers both basic physical ideas from special relativity and quantum mechanics and advanced mathematical concepts in complete detail, with nearly 300 exercises.

Format: Hardback
Length: 756 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Quantum field theory (QFT) is a remarkable achievement in physics, captivating both mathematicians and physicists alike. While most pedagogical texts on QFT cater to aspiring professional physicists, mathematical accounts can be abstract and challenging to connect with physical phenomena. This book fills the gap by providing a comprehensive and accessible introduction to QFT. While maintaining a rigorous approach whenever possible, the emphasis is on explaining the actions and motivations of physicists through precise mathematical language.

In particular, it delves into the enigmatic process of renormalization in great detail. Designed for readers with a mathematical background but no prior knowledge of physics, the book is largely self-contained and presents both fundamental physical concepts from special relativity and quantum mechanics as well as advanced mathematical concepts with thorough explanations. It will be of great interest to mathematicians seeking to delve into QFT, and with nearly 300 exercises, it will also serve as a valuable resource for physics students seeking a more rigorous academic experience than commonly found in their courses.

For those interested, an erratum for the book can be found at michel.talagrand.net/erratum.pdf.

Weight: 1426g
Dimension: 178 x 251 x 48 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316510278
Edition number: New ed