Quantum Field Theory books for undergraduates

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for Quantum Field Theory (QFT) books suitable for advanced undergraduates. Participants share their favorite texts, evaluate their suitability based on prior coursework, and discuss various pedagogical approaches to QFT.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants recommend M. D. Schwartz's "Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model" as a comprehensive text, while others find it too extensive for a first introduction.
  • Richard Mattuck's "A Guide To Feynman Diagrams In Many-Body Problem" is suggested for its clear introduction to Feynman diagrams, though it is noted that it is not strictly a QFT text.
  • A. L. Fetter and J. D. Walecka's "Quantum Theory of Many-Particle Systems" and J. W. Negele and H. Orland's "Quantum Many-Particle Systems" are also mentioned as valuable resources for understanding many-body physics.
  • Lancaster and Blundell's book is praised for its conceptual clarity, while Greiner and Reinhardt's "Field Quantization" is noted for its detailed pedagogical approach.
  • Some participants express skepticism about Zee's "Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell," describing it as superficial and lacking in necessary detail for beginners, while others acknowledge its valuable insights after foundational knowledge is established.
  • There is a discussion about Wilson's effective theory viewpoint of renormalization, with some participants noting that not all recommended texts adequately cover this perspective.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the suitability and quality of various QFT texts, indicating that there is no consensus on which book is the best for learning QFT. Disagreements arise particularly around Zee's book and its effectiveness as a learning resource.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of prior coursework in Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Relativity as prerequisites for understanding the recommended texts. There are also mentions of the limitations of certain books in addressing contemporary viewpoints like Wilson's renormalization group.

  • #31
ShayanJ said:
I have. And I think if the OP wants to buy only one book, it should be this one.
Sorry, I missed the post...
 
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  • #32
I also liked Maggiore's text and think he explains the symmetries of the various QFT's presented in a very accessible and easy to follow manner. I've used Schwartz as a sort of dip-in-and-out-of book. It's very broad in its coverage but more often than not I have gone to his book to look (and found) for a derivation of something simply quoted in a paper, e.g deriving the quark distribution function in terms of Fourier transforms of forward non local matrix elements which I hadn't seen elsewhere.
 
  • #33
eltodesukane said:
Student Friendly Quantum Field Theory 2nd Edition by Robert D. Klauber
This book is also recommended, although it is said to contain many typos.

I like Lancaster and Blundell, short chapters and you can easily work thru the problems (that is what I do when I am substitute teaching at the local high schools when not teaching). Klauber is good, but I found that I had to do a lot of gap filling in my knowledge to work thru it.

Both are excellent, but Klauber is a little more advanced.

As an aside, I picked up Lancaster and Blundell at a used book store for $15 US (it was in pristine shape, not a mark in it). Look for used copies of either.
 
  • #34
Dr Transport said:
I like Lancaster and Blundell, short chapters and you can easily work thru the problems (that is what I do when I am substitute teaching at the local high schools when not teaching). Klauber is good, but I found that I had to do a lot of gap filling in my knowledge to work thru it.

Both are excellent, but Klauber is a little more advanced.

As an aside, I picked up Lancaster and Blundell at a used book store for $15 US (it was in pristine shape, not a mark in it). Look for used copies of either.

Amazon.com prices: (it's getting ridiculous)
eTextbook $27.61
Hardcover $110.00
Paperback from $788.61
 
  • #35
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #36
eltodesukane said:
Paperback from $788.61
It can't be true. :wideeyed:
 

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