Finite Quantum Electrodynamics: The Causal Approach (Theoretical and Mathematical Physics) - Softcover

Scharf, G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3642633455 ISBN 13: 9783642633454

Publisher: Springer, 2012

Synopsis

In this textbook for graduate students in physics the author carefully analyses the role of causality in Q.E.D. This new approach avoids ultraviolet divergences, so that the detailed calculations of scattering processes and proofs can be carried out in a mathematically rigorous manner. Significant themes such as renormalizability, gauge invariance, unitarity, renormalization group, interacting fields and axial anomalies are discussed. The extension of the methods to non-abelian gauge theories is briefly described.
The book differs considerably from its first edition: Chap. 3 on Causal Perturbation Theory was completely rewritten and Chap. 4 on Properties of the S-Matrix and Chap. 5 on Other Electromagnetic Couplings are new.

About this title

From the Back Cover

In this textbook for graduate students in physics the author carefully analyses the role of causality in Quantum Electrodynamics. This new approach makes it possible to give full proofs and carry out the detailed calculations of scattering processes in a mathematically rigorous manner. The book begins with Dirac's theory, followed by the quantum theory of free fields, including a new approach to the external field problem. Chapter 3 is devoted to causal perturbation theory, a powerful method that avoids ultraviolet divergences and solves the infrared problem by means of the adiabatic limit. Chapter 4 is concerned with general properties of the S matrix, such as renormalizability, gauge invariance, and unitarity. The renormalization group and interacting fields are also discussed. In Chapter 5 other electrodynamic couplings are considered. The extension of the methods to non-abelian gauge theories is briefly described. This new edition is partially rewritten and contains two new chapters.

Review

From the reviews: "In the summary on the back cover the unheard-of statement appears that now the first (mathematically) rigorous textbook on Quantum Electrodynamics was on hand. ... In fact, "Finite Quantum Electrodynamics" does justice to this claim. And, in addition, in a pregnant, lifely form. On 220 pages G. Scharf (Zurich) succeeds in presenting a concise description of QED ... As promised, only finite quantities appear ... In Russia I often feel frustrated that I studied Latin in school and Russian was not offered. Now I have the same feeling after reading Scharf's book. I studied the wrong grammar up to now." #Translated from a review by Thomas Schücker in Physik in unserer Zeit#1

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 3642633455
• ISBN 13: 9783642633454
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 420