Advanced Topics in Quantum Field Theory: A Lecture Course

Description

Quantum field theory is the basis of our modern description of physical phenomena at the fundamental level. This systematic and comprehensive text emphasizes nonperturbative phenomena and supersymmetry. It includes a thorough discussion of various phases of gauge theories, extended objects and their quantization, and global supersymmetry from a modern perspective. This Second Edition is revised to include topics developed in the last decade, including higher-form global symmetries and their applications, anomalies in supersymmetric theories beyond Ferrara-Zumino, and non-Abelian supersymmetric vortex strings. A new final part is added, presenting more than 90 problems with detailed solutions, allowing students to check their understanding of the acquired knowledge and providing extra details to supplement the main text descriptions. This an indispensable book for graduate students and researchers in theoretical physics.

Mikhail Shifman is the Ida Cohen Fine Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Minnesota. He was awarded the 1999 Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics, the 2006 Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize and the 2016 Dirac Medal and Prize for outstanding contributions to physics. In 2018, he was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences.

'The book begins a remarkable and excellent review of the history of quantum field theory. Part I presents ideas and developments before supersymmetry. Part II [...] presents a systematic and rather complete introduction to supersymmetry from a modern perspective. Aimed at advanced students as well as researchers, the book is a unique combination of a basic guide to modern quantum field theory and a manual of new research topics.' Gert Roepstorff, Zentralblatt MATH 'The author, one of the leading experts in nonperturbative QFT, presents his fascinating personal account of the subject. Because he does not cover the foundations of QFT but focuses exclusively on the advanced topics, he manages to cover the material in great breadth and depth. [...] But despite the high level the text is still much more a textbook than a research monograph. [...] I have never seen such a clear and elaborate treatment of nonperturbative QFT.' Thomas Peters, Contemporary Physics