FSI3050 Relativistic Quantum Physics 7.5 credits

I. Relativistic quantum mechanics

Tensor notation. Casimir operators. The Poincaré group. Irreducible representations of particles. The Klein-Gordon equation. The Dirac equation. The structure of Dirac particles. The Dirac equation: central potentials. The Weyl equation. Maxwell's equations and quantization of the electromagnetic field. Introduction to Yang-Mills theory.

II. Introduction to quantum field theory

Neutral and charged Klein-Gordon fields. The Dirac field. The Majorana field. Asymptotic fields: LSZ formulation. Perturbation theory. Introduction to quantum electrodynamics. Interacting fields and Feynman diagrams. Elementary processes of quantum electrodynamics. Introduction to radiative corrections.

After completed course, the PhD student should be able to:

• apply the Poincaré group as well as classify particle representations.
• analyze the Klein-Gordon and the Dirac equations.
• solve the Weyl equation.
• know Maxwell's equations and classical Yang-Mills theory.
• quantize Klein-Gordon, Dirac, and Majorana fields as well as formulate the Lagrangian for these fields.
• use perturbation theory in simple quantum field theories.
• formulate the Lagrangian for quantum electrodynamics as well as analyze this.
• derive Feynman rules from simple quantum field theories as well as interpret Feynman diagrams.
• analyze elementary processes in quantum electrodynamics.
• compute radiative corrections to elementary processes in quantum electrodynamics.

Quantum Physics.
Relativity Theory.
Analytical Mechanics and Classical Field Theory (recommended).

• T. Ohlsson, Relativistic Quantum Physics, Cambridge (2011)

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• TEN1 - Exam, 7.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Hand in assignments and an oral exam.

Tommy Ohlsson

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.