Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Renormalization Group: Basic Structure and Counterterms

In course

PHYS-702: Advanced Quantum Field Theory

The course builds on the course QFT1 and QFT2 and develops in parallel to the course on Gauge Theories and the SM. ...

Description

This lecture covers the concept of the Renormalization Group, focusing on the basic structure fixed by dimensional analysis, the identification of counterterms, and the breakdown of perturbation theory. It also discusses the construction of identical correlators and the implications for perturbativity.

Instructors (5)

Xiang Zhao

Riccardo Rattazzi

Riccardo Rattazzi was born in Novara (Italy) in 1964. He studied physics at the University of Pisa, where he received the Laurea cum laude in 1987, and at the Scuola Normale Superiore where he received the Diploma in Scienze and carried out graduate research in theoretical physics. After having been a post-doctoral research associate at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, at Rutgers University and at CERN, in 1998 Riccardo obtained a permanent research position at the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare in Pisa. From 2001 to 2006 he was a staff member at the Theory Division of CERN. In 2006 he was appointed professor of physics at EPFL.

Brando Bellazzini

Alexander Monin

Jiaxin Qiao

Official source

Related concepts (31)

Renormalization

Renormalization is a collection of techniques in quantum field theory, statistical field theory, and the theory of self-similar geometric structures, that are used to treat infinities arising in calculated quantities by altering values of these quantities to compensate for effects of their self-interactions. But even if no infinities arose in loop diagrams in quantum field theory, it could be shown that it would be necessary to renormalize the mass and fields appearing in the original Lagrangian.

Non-Newtonian fluid

A non-Newtonian fluid is a fluid that does not follow Newton's law of viscosity, that is, it has variable viscosity dependent on stress. In non-Newtonian fluids, viscosity can change when under force to either more liquid or more solid. Ketchup, for example, becomes runnier when shaken and is thus a non-Newtonian fluid. Many salt solutions and molten polymers are , as are many commonly found substances such as custard, toothpaste, starch suspensions, corn starch, paint, blood, melted butter, and shampoo.

Newtonian fluid

A Newtonian fluid is a fluid in which the viscous stresses arising from its flow are at every point linearly correlated to the local strain rate — the rate of change of its deformation over time. Stresses are proportional to the rate of change of the fluid's velocity vector. A fluid is Newtonian only if the tensors that describe the viscous stress and the strain rate are related by a constant viscosity tensor that does not depend on the stress state and velocity of the flow.

Renormalization group

In theoretical physics, the term renormalization group (RG) refers to a formal apparatus that allows systematic investigation of the changes of a physical system as viewed at different scales. In particle physics, it reflects the changes in the underlying force laws (codified in a quantum field theory) as the energy scale at which physical processes occur varies, energy/momentum and resolution distance scales being effectively conjugate under the uncertainty principle. A change in scale is called a scale transformation.

Viscosity

The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to deformation at a given rate. For liquids, it corresponds to the informal concept of "thickness": for example, syrup has a higher viscosity than water. Viscosity is defined scientifically as a force multiplied by a time divided by an area. Thus its SI units are newton-seconds per square metre, or pascal-seconds. Viscosity quantifies the internal frictional force between adjacent layers of fluid that are in relative motion.

Related lectures (30)

Quantum Field Theory: AQFT

Explores advanced Quantum Field Theory topics, including perturbativity, renormalization, and asymptotic freedom, with a focus on Amplitudes and Correlators.

Renormalization of Gauge Theories

Covers the renormalization of gauge theories and composite operators.

Quantum Field Theory: Dirac Hamiltonian

Covers the quantization of the Dirac field and its Hamiltonian properties.

Renormalization: AQFT

Covers the concept of renormalization in Algebraic Quantum Field Theory.

Renormalization Group in Field Theory