Gauge Theory of Elementary Particle Physics

by Ta-Pei Cheng, Ling-Fong Li

The generally accepted modern framework of high-energy physics is the gauge theory of particle interactions. It can be argued that it gives a complete and correct description of all non-gravitational physics: strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions are all gauge interactions.

This book provides students and researchers with a practical introduction to some of the principal ideas in gauge theories and their applications to elementary particle physics. It begins with a review of, and introduction to, the more familiar aspects of quantum field theory (quantization and renormalization) and symmetry studies of particle physics (flavour symmetries, current algebra, and quarks and partons). In the second half, the classical and quantized versions of the gauge theory are presented. The major part of the book is devoted to the study of the strong interaction theory of quantum chromodynamics and the electroweak interaction theory of Glashow, Weinberg, and Salam as well as the grand unification theory exemplified by the simplest SU(5) model. The richness of the gauge theory structure is further illustrated in the final chapters on the nonperturbative solutions of magnetic monopoles and instantons.

The text aims to provide the general background necessary for graduate students who wish to specialize in the field of elementary particle theory. The arrangement of the text should also lend itself to use by researchers as a reference book.

Genres: Physics, Science, Mathematics

548 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 1984

Reviews

[Stany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is obviously dated. I have a version of 2011 and it doesn't not seem to have been updated since the original version of 1984. Not only with regard to the many experimental discoveries since then, but also with regard to the disturbingly large amount of typographical errors in the formulae, that make checking any of the more detailed calculations very laborious. There are, moreover subjects that have since then received a much better and clearer treatment. It is also a puzzle to me what the role is of the last two chapters (magnetic monopoles and instantons) as the treatment is very basic, and the link with the rest of the book is not made very clear. Nevertheless, there are some excellent chapters; the chapter on the SU(5) GUT to name only one. I guess this book has now been superseded as a standard text by Langacker (The Standard Model & Beyond) although the latter seems much more phenomenology-based. But the general style & approach of the book is pretty good and could need an update.

[Brian Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid introduction to quantum field theory and renormalization, heavy on applications to gauge theories and particle physics. Some well-written special topics, like monopoles and instantons, top everything off. I found this text to be a useful supplement to the standard introductory QFT regimen.

[Kevin K. Gillette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another volume I've really just skimmed, as it is really well beyond my level of physics comprehension at the moment. However, that said, I did find this book extremely illuminating on a number of topics. One of my favorite curiosities has been monopole formation, and Chapter 15 of this book deals with the Georgi-Glashow and (later) the 't Hooft-Polyakov monopole solutoins in a relatively reader-friendly way. So for me, it was worth the price of purchase just for that chapter, if not any of the others. But the book goes into extensive detail on the relationship between canonical formalisms of particle interactions (creation, annihilation, exchange of data) and their corresponding Feynman diagrams.

Well worth looking at!

[albin james · Rating 5 out of 5]

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