Peter Teichner
Math 290
Spring 2005, Th 12:30-2:00 in 35 Evans
Office hours Tu 2:00-4:00 in 703 Evans.
Non-Axiomatic Quantum Field Theory
In this course we will go through parts of Steve Weinberg's book on quantum field theory in an attempt to understand some of the physicists motivation to introduce quantum fields. The book is written with an emphasis on discussing "why" this is a good formalism to describe the physical world. Participants will be giving one hour lectures on particular sections of the book, and there will be a discussion session after every lecture.
Further references include:
Peskin and Schroeder, Introduction to Quantum Field Theory.
J. M. Rabin, Introduction to Quantum Field Theory for Mathematicians, in Geometry and Quantum Field Theory, edited by D. Freed & K. Uhlenbeck, IAS/Park City Math. Series 1, A.M.S. 1995.
Streater and Wightman, PCT, spin and statistics, and all that.
V. S. Varadarajan, Supersymmetry for Mathematicians: An Introduction, Courant Lecture Notes in Math. 11, A.M.S. 2004.
E. Witten et al, Quantum Fields and Strings: A Course for Mathematicians, A.M.S.-I.A.S 1999.
Zee, Quantum Field Theory.
Please let me know of other good references!
Provisional outline of lecture topics from Weinberg's book:
Jan. 27: Scott Carnahan 2.1-2.4
Feb. 3: Henning Hohnhold 2.5-2.6
Feb. 10: Andrew Tolland 3.1-3.3
Feb. 17: Alan Hammond 3.4-3.6
Feb. 24: Peter Teichner 4.1-4.4
Mar. 3: Eli Lebow 5.1-5.4
Mar. 10: Chris Pries 5.5, 5.7-5.8
Mar. 17: Jana Comstock 6.1-6.2
Mar. 31: Quingtoa Chen 6.3-6.4
Apr. 7: Xinwen Zhu 7.1-7.3
Apr. 14: Andy Cotton 7.4-7.6
Apr. 21: Sasha Peterka 8.1-8.5
Apr. 28: Alfonso Gracia-Saz 8.6-8.8
May 5: Michael West 9.1-9.4
May 12: Raj Mehta 9.5-9.6, appendix