Prerequisite for understanding QCD

[Renzo Tramaglino]

I know there is more than one approach in studying strong interaction, a geometric one based on gauge theories and one based on quantum field theory. In both of them I would like to know which topics I have to study in order to understand this theory, for example my knowledge of quantum physics consists in the Schrödinger equation and in its solutions in different situations. I am more interested in the geometric approach, but surely I will not have an all-embracing view until I will know the latter one. I would like to understand in particular the confinement and the asymptotic freedom. Thanks.

 

[thierrykauf]

I know there is more than one approach in studying strong interaction, a geometric one based on gauge theories and one based on quantum field theory. In both of them I would like to know which topics I have to study in order to understand this theory, for example my knowledge of quantum physics consists in the Schrödinger equation and in its solutions in different situations. I am more interested in the geometric approach, but surely I will not have an all-embracing view until I will know the latter one. I would like to understand in particular the confinement and the asymptotic freedom. Thanks.

Quantum field theory is what you need. Lagrangian formulation, how to write a gauge invariant Lagrangian, gauge fixing and quantization, Fadeev-Popov ghosts, renormalization, beta function and asymptotic freedom, massive gauge bosons and confinement. You might want to start with QED.

 

[mfb]

I know there is more than one approach in studying strong interaction, a geometric one based on gauge theories and one based on quantum field theory.

The QFT that describes the strong interaction is a gauge theory. I don't see where you expect a second approach.

The usuall approach is nonrelativistic quantum mechanics -> relativistic quantum mechanics -> QED -> QCD.

 

[Renzo Tramaglino]

Ok, thank you all, I think I'm going to buy Landau's books and study them during the next two years.
Regards

 

[dextercioby]

But there is no geometry in Landau's books. The 4th volume of the series contains a thorough treatment of quantum electrodynamics. For QCD, though, try the Greiner series, especially the symmetry text in quantum mechanics is a must read before any quantum field theory reading.

 

[Renzo Tramaglino]

But there is no geometry in Landau's books. The 4th volume of the series contains a thorough treatment of quantum electrodynamics. For QCD, though, try the Greiner series, especially the symmetry text in quantum mechanics is a must read before any quantum field theory reading.

Thank you, I will have a look at Greiner texts.

 

[vanhees71]

The QFT that describes the strong interaction is a gauge theory. I don't see where you expect a second approach.

The usuall approach is nonrelativistic quantum mechanics -> relativistic quantum mechanics -> QED -> QCD.

I strongly suggest to take the modern way and leave out "relativistic quantum mechanics". The true way to describe relativistic QT is QFT :-). As introductory book, I recommend

M. D. Schwartz, Introduction to quantum field theory and the standard model, Cambridge University Press 2014.

 

[Renzo Tramaglino]

I strongly suggest to take the modern way and leave out "relativistic quantum mechanics". The true way to describe relativistic QT is QFT :-). As introductory book, I recommend

M. D. Schwartz, Introduction to quantum field theory and the standard model, Cambridge University Press 2014.

It looks like a very difficult book, but I will study it little by little, thanks.

 

[ChrisVer]

what about Weinberg's two vollumes on QFT?

 

[George Jones]

It looks like a very difficult book, but I will study it little by little, thanks.

Have you studied quantum mechanics, at, say, the level of Sakurai,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805382917/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[Kevin McHugh]

Thank you, I will have a look at Greiner texts.

I have two of Greiner's books, RQM and QED. They are both excellent books. I will get the QCD book after digesting these two.

 

[Renzo Tramaglino]

Have you studied quantum mechanics, at, say, the level of Sakurai,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805382917/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I studied Gasiorowicz text, is it enough?

 

[ChrisVer]

I studied Gasiorowicz text, is it enough?

Tiring one, but I think it's an introductory book like Griffith's... a more advanced textbook should be best (Like Sakurai's or Balentine's)

 

[Renzo Tramaglino]

Tiring one, but I think it's an introductory book like Griffith's... a more advanced textbook should be best (Like Sakurai's or Balentine's)

I will consult them.

 

[MathematicalPhysicist]

If you really want a thorough and long (oh so long :-D ) route there are no other books better than Zelevinsky's and Cohen Tannoudji's books on QM. (Zelevinsky also covers quantum chaos). There's also the book by Gurtzwiller which I have (hardcover) but didn't find the time to read.

I took three courses in QM and one course in QFT (the continuation of which I am taking this coming academic year), for the most courses I didn't find the time to read the books since it mostly was lectured already in class (but I am sure these books are self contained and contain all you need to know and more on QM).

For QFT there are so many books to read, I finished reading Srednicki's book but I know other books which I plan to read further on the road.

BTW, I am not sure but QFT and QC (quantum chaos) are different subjects, shouldn't there be a unified theme between the two?

It's interseting that macroscopically nature is chaotic while in QM there's no such chaos as in determinstic chaos in classical physics.
I tried searchig for chaotic field theory and all I found is this link:
http://www.cns.gatech.edu/~predrag/papers/hkPubl.pdf

and the book by Biro which I have.

Didn't find the time to read them though.