Introduction to Effective Field Theory

Thinking Effectively about Hierarchies of Scale

C. P. Burgess

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780521195478
• eBook ISBN: 9781108916462
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Nuclear Physics

Using examples from across the sub-disciplines of physics, this introduction shows why effective field theories are the language in which physical laws are written. The tools of effective field theory are demonstrated using worked examples from areas including particle, nuclear, atomic, condensed matter and gravitational physics. To bring the subject within reach of scientists with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests, there are clear physical explanations, rigorous derivations, and extensive appendices on background material, such as quantum field theory. Starting from undergraduate-level quantum mechanics, the book gets to state-of-the-art calculations using both relativistic and nonrelativistic few-body and many-body examples, and numerous end-of-chapter problems derive classic results not covered in the main text. Graduate students and researchers in particle physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, string theory, and mathematical physics more generally, will find this book ideal for both self-study and for organized courses on effective field theory.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• List of Illustrations
• List of Tables
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Part I Theoretical Framework
• Part II Relativistic Applications
• Part III Nonrelativistic Applications
• Part IV Many-Body Applications
• Appendix A Conventions and Units
• Appendix B Momentum Eigenstates and Scattering
• Appendix C Quantum Field Theory: A Cartoon
• Appendix D Further Reading
• References
• Index