Introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. Emphasis on basic concepts, as they appear in models for the elementary particle interactions. Topics include canonical quantization, Feynman diagrams, symmetries and conservation laws, QED and the Dirac equation, functional integrals, nonabelian gauge theories, spontaneous symmetry breaking, the Higgs mechanism, and an introduction to QCD and the standard electroweak model. NOTE: Coverage will be descriptive and semi-quantitative, targeted toward students whose only preparation has been the listed prerequisites.
Prerequisites: 2 courses from the group Physics 253, 361, and 371.