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Lecture

Quantum Field Theory: Particle Interactions

In course

PHYS-415: Particle physics I

Presentation of particle properties, their symmetries and interactions. Introduction to quantum electrodynamics and to the Feynman rules. ...

Description

This lecture covers the Dirac equation and the introduction of gamma matrices, the Pauli-Dirac representation, solutions for moving particles, parity and time reversal operators, charge conjugation, scalar and vector particles, Feynman diagrams, interaction by particle exchange, virtual particles, quantum electrodynamics, Feynman rules for QED, and examples of matrix element calculations.

Instructors (3)

Radoslav Marchevski

Lesya Shchutska

Jan Steggemann

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Physics

Particle physics: Standard Model

Quantum field theory: Topics in quantum field theory

Related concepts (32)

Virtual particle

A virtual particle is a theoretical transient particle that exhibits some of the characteristics of an ordinary particle, while having its existence limited by the uncertainty principle. The concept of virtual particles arises in the perturbation theory of quantum field theory where interactions between ordinary particles are described in terms of exchanges of virtual particles. A process involving virtual particles can be described by a schematic representation known as a Feynman diagram, in which virtual particles are represented by internal lines.

Elementary particle

In particle physics, an elementary particle or fundamental particle is a subatomic particle that is not composed of other particles. The Standard Model presently recognizes seventeen distinct particles, twelve fermions and five bosons. As a consequence of flavor and color combinations and antimatter, the fermions and bosons are known to have 48 and 13 variations, respectively. Among the 61 elementary particles embraced by the Standard Model number electrons and other leptons, quarks, and the fundamental bosons.

Weak interaction

In nuclear physics and particle physics, the weak interaction, which is also often called the weak force or weak nuclear force, is one of the four known fundamental interactions, with the others being electromagnetism, the strong interaction, and gravitation. It is the mechanism of interaction between subatomic particles that is responsible for the radioactive decay of atoms: The weak interaction participates in nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

Strong interaction

In nuclear physics and particle physics, the strong interaction, which is also often called the strong force or strong nuclear force, is a fundamental interaction that confines quarks into proton, neutron, and other hadron particles. The strong interaction also binds neutrons and protons to create atomic nuclei, where it is called the nuclear force. Most of the mass of a common proton or neutron is the result of the strong interaction energy; the individual quarks provide only about 1% of the mass of a proton.

Feynman diagram

In theoretical physics, a Feynman diagram is a pictorial representation of the mathematical expressions describing the behavior and interaction of subatomic particles. The scheme is named after American physicist Richard Feynman, who introduced the diagrams in 1948. The interaction of subatomic particles can be complex and difficult to understand; Feynman diagrams give a simple visualization of what would otherwise be an arcane and abstract formula.

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