I Recommendations for learning renormalization?

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Learning renormalization effectively requires a solid foundation in quantum field theory (QFT), as it cannot be grasped without understanding the basics of QFT first. Recommended introductory texts include "Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model" by M. D. Schwartz and "Renormalization" by J. C. Collins. Additional resources suggested are lecture series by Tobias Osborne and Arnold Neumaier's paper "Renormalization without infinities." It is emphasized that while preliminary understanding can be gained through quantum mechanics, mastering renormalization involves tackling complex calculations in QFT. The discussion highlights the importance of careful study of foundational texts and the necessity of perseverance in the learning process.
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Texts for a gentle intro to quantum field theory.
I’ve tried multiple times to learn the methods of renormalization without success. Assume I know quantum mechanics at the level of Griffith’s, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics what’s a good intro to learning renormalization?

Robert Clark
 
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RobertGC said:
what’s a good intro to learning renormalization?
There isn't one. You can't skip past the beginning of QFT into the middle.
 
Ok. What’s a good intro to QFT?

Robert Clark
 
RobertGC said:
Assume I know quantum mechanics at the level of Griffith’s, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics what’s a good intro to learning renormalization?
You can learn renormalization in quantum mechanics as a prelude for its later use in quantum field theory. Most of the mystery of the renormalization process will be gone after having read my paper
But nothing can save you from going through the long calculations accompanying the applications in quantum field theory.
 
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RobertGC said:
Summary:: Texts for a gentle intro to quantum field theory.

I’ve tried multiple times to learn the methods of renormalization without success. Assume I know quantum mechanics at the level of Griffith’s, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics what’s a good intro to learning renormalization?

Robert Clark
Have you tried Klauber, Student Friendly QFT?
 
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My favorite intro text is

M. D. Schwartz, Quantum field theory and the Standard Model, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York (2014).

Especially for renormalization there is

J. C. Collins, Renormalization, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York, Melbourne (1986).

Here you find my notes on QFT including renormalization using both the dimensional-regularization and the direct BPHZ approach (without intermediate regularization):

https://itp.uni-frankfurt.de/~hees/publ/lect.pdf
 
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A. Neumaier said:
You can learn renormalization in quantum mechanics as a prelude for its later use in quantum field theory. Most of the mystery of the renormalization process will be gone after read my paper
But nothing can save you from going through the long calculations accompanying the applications in quantum field theory.

Thanks for the ref.

Robert Clark
 
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Demystifier said:
Have you tried Klauber, Student Friendly QFT?

Thanks.

Robert Clark
 
  • #11
vanhees71 said:
My favorite intro text is

M. D. Schwartz, Quantum field theory and the Standard Model, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York (2014).

Especially for renormalization there is

J. C. Collins, Renormalization, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York, Melbourne (1986).

Here you find my notes on QFT including renormalization using both the dimensional-regularization and the direct BPHZ approach (without intermediate regularization):

https://itp.uni-frankfurt.de/~hees/publ/lect.pdf

Thank you.

Robert Clark
 
  • #12
I'd also recommend reading through the first seven chapters of Peskin and Schroder carefully.
 
  • #13
vanhees71 said:
J. C. Collins, Renormalization, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York, Melbourne (1986).
Peter Weisz's 2009 Les Houches notes are a nice intro to Collins. Although Collins itself is very well written.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1004.3462
 
  • #14
CelHolo said:
I'd also recommend reading through the first seven chapters of Peskin and Schroder carefully.
The emphasis is on "carefully". A textbook, where dimensionful arguments of logarithms occur in the chapter on renormalization, must indeed be read with great care. It's really a pitty that this in principle very good textbook is so full of non-trivial typos :-(.
 
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  • #15
A. Neumaier said:
You can learn renormalization in quantum mechanics as a prelude for its later use in quantum field theory. Most of the mystery of the renormalization process will be gone after having read my paper
But nothing can save you from going through the long calculations accompanying the applications in quantum field theory.
Hi! This link does not work anymore. Your own website link has a potential threat warning when trying to access the pdf. Could you please reply if it is safe to access your own website?
 
  • #16
Ishika_96_sparkles said:
Hi! This link does not work anymore. Your own website link has a potential threat warning when trying to access the pdf. Could you please reply if it is safe to access your own website?
My website moved. Change in all my old links arnold-neumaier.at to arnold-neumaier.at and you'll find the corresponding files.
 
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  • #17
A. Neumaier said:
My website moved. Change in all my old links www.mat.univie.ac.at to arnold-neumaier.at and you'll find the corresponding files.
Thanks a lot Prof. Neumaier!
 
  • #18
Ishika_96_sparkles said:
Could you please reply if it is safe to access your own website?
Actually the change announced first was invalid; see the corrected version.
 
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  • #19
I suggest starting with Halzen and Martin.
 

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