Entry requirements

120 credits in science/engineering. Participation in Introduction to Quantum Field Theory with Applications or Quantum Field Theory. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• derive the Feynman rules for a gauge theory using path integrals
• derive the Higgs mechanism and spontaneous symmetry breaking
• derive the BRST symmetry and to analyse in examples how it mirrors gauge invariance in the quantum theory
• explain the phenomenon of anomalies and to calculate them in a number of examples
• explain basic supersymmetry and supersymmetric quantum field theory with applications
• analyse the conceptual problems that arise in quantizing gravity.

Content

The course establishes the relation of standard canonical quantisation formalism for field theories to path-integral quantisation. Concepts in advanced quantum field theory such as path-integral quantisation of gauge theories, regularisation and the renormalisation group, BRST-quantisation, Higgs-mechanism, spontaneous symmetry breaking, anomalies and supersymmetry.

Instruction

Lectures.

Assessment

Homework assignments with oral presentation.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.