Quantum Field Theory

by Claude Itzykson

This text offers a balanced treatment of quantum field theory, providing both formal presentation and numerous examples. It begins with the standard quantization of electrodynamics, culminating in the perturbative renormalization, and proceeds to functional methods, relativistic bound states, broken symmetries, nonabelian gauge fields, and asymptotic behavior. 157 figures. 1980 edition.

Genres: Physics, Science, Quantum Mechanics

760 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1980

Reviews

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quantum Field Theory is a Dover reprint of a textbook from 1980. The reprint discusses some of the changes in the edition at the beginning of the book. It includes the errata and the page it was found on. Other than that, the book is drawn entirely from the older version. There have been changes in some aspects, one of the authors admits as much in the preface. The field of physics is ever-changing and advancing toward the future. There are some parts of the book that are now obsolete. Chapter XI is an example Zuber points out.

Claude Itzykson and Jean-Bernard Zuber wrote QFT. At the time of the reprint, Itzykson died 10 years earlier. I don't know about Zuber at present, but a lot can happen in 20 years. I am satisfied with the book, even as I struggle to understand the terminology. It is a fruitful point of inquiry.

The book is chock-full of equations. Some are hard to follow.

I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.

[Barbara Westman · Rating 1 out of 5]

A mediocre QFT text ruined by not bothering to fix the errata in a new edition.

Skip it.