Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Introduction [Hardcover]

Michio Kaku (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0195076524 | ISBN-13: 978-0195076523 | Edition: First Edition

The rise of quantum electrodynamics (QED) made possible a number of excellent textbooks on quantum field theory in the 1960s. However, the rise of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and the Standard Model has made it urgent to have a fully modern textbook for the 1990s and beyond. Building on the foundation of QED, Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Introduction presents a clear and comprehensive discussion of the gauge revolution and the theoretical and experimental evidence which makes the Standard Model the leading theory of subatomic phenomena. The book is divided into three parts: Part I, Fields and Renormalization, lays a solid foundation by presenting canonical quantization, Feynman rules and scattering matrices, and renormalization theory. Part II, Gauge Theory and the Standard Model, focuses on the Standard Model and discusses path integrals, gauge theory, spontaneous symmetry breaking, the renormalization group, and BPHZ quantization. Part III, Non-perturbative Methods and Unification, discusses more advanced methods which now form an essential part of field theory, such as critical phenomena, lattice gauge theory, instantons, supersymmetry, quantum gravity, supergravity, and superstrings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book provides an excellent, up-to-date account of quantum field theory and the approach to quantum gravity. It is well written and well organized to be used not only by anyone who intends to do research work in this field but also for anyone at the level of an advanced graduate student or beyond who is interested in broadening his/her perspectives on what might be the elements of a 'final theory' in physics." --Hans J. Haubold, United Nations Office for Outer Space

"Unlike older textbooks that focused on quantum electrodynamics (QED), this text centers on the Standard Model and includes gauge theory. Each chapter concludes with a problem set." --SciTech Book News

"A massive work covering a grand variety of traditional subjects dealt with in most textbooks on this subject, and has done all of us the favor of including, in addition, a good number of current research topics that are normally dealt with only in conference proceedings or specialized texts of their own. This is a lot of book, especially for the relatively modest price." --International Journal of Quantum Chemistry

"Kaku discusses a mind-boggling variety of topics. . . valuable references. . .useful." --Physics Today

"This updated and expanded version of many of the standard QFT texts is refreshingly independent. . .an effective introduction to a breathtakingly wide range of topics, and gives an admirable general ordering and emphasis of life material. . .a fascinating resource for a wealth of information and explanation. What more can one expect between two covers with such a menu?" --Australian and New Zealand Physicist

About the Author

Michio Kaku is at City College of CUNY.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 785 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press; First Edition edition (March 11, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195076524
• ISBN-13: 978-0195076523
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Waves & Wave Mechanics
  • #42 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Quantum Theory

More About the Author

Michio Kaku is the co-founder of String Field Theory and is the author of international best-selling books such as Hyperspace, Visions, and Beyond Einstein. Michio Kaku is the Henry Semat Professor in Theoretical Physics at the City University of New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A fairly good book, but not suitable for an introduction, June 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Introduction (Hardcover)

This is a good book. The nicest thing is how it handles renormalisation, a very complete approach. However, it have severe defects in mathematics. For example, its proof of Noether theorem is wrong. It is too sketchy with group theory, although it at first sight looks like an introduction. Only someone very well versed with group theory and representation can understand this chapter. Unfortunately, this is the mark of a rather sloppy mathematics writer, as further reading confirms. The comparison with Weinberg's precision and rigor is striking. I would recommend it however to someone wishing a clear introduction to renormalisation and the standard model, but with previous knowledge of QFT. I think the term "introduction" in the title is a bit misleading.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It could have been wonderful if..., February 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Introduction (Hardcover)

The scope of the book is very wide, it covers many topics (even quite advanced ones) not to be found in similar books. The problem is the large number of mathematical errors and typos, and its dishomogeneity: while some topics are well covered from basics up, others really require much advance knowledge.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference book but annoying for a biginner, February 27, 2003

By 

Maurice Tremblay (Hull, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

The Good: Nearly all the major subjects are covered in some detail - that is the key developments and insights. This includes all the major details of QED, Gauge Theory and Electroweak Theory, and finally the Standard Model. I loved the reviews on GUT, Quantum Gravity and Superstrings and a few bonus section/chapters like Solitons and Latice theories. Another good thing is the space given in the book - being a notes person, there is plenty of room to work out details and write notes beween equations and at the bottom of the page. Teh appendices contain all the necessary formulas for trace calculations but when it comes to QFT, appendices SHOULD also contain the Feynman rules for the various theories and/or interactions.
The Bad: The author has an unpleasant habbit of plugging and sticking formulas and equations here and there within developments thinking we remember exactly where it was discussed beforehand. Sorry but it becomes painfully annoying at times to understand the material presented in detail when you keep being distracted by finding the formulas 4 chapters before. If ever their is a second edition, I think many would realy like it to include more of the "Using eq. (3.113) and the normalization condition (3.etc.) we get..." more often such that we could worry less about finding which formula/equation (and where they are!) as opposed to working out the developments for ourselves - unless it is recommended as an exercice. For those that love developments and the origin of equations, Lahiri and Pal is much better. And why do textbooks of this caliber DO NOT contain worked out excercises or answers? I have done some of the exercises BUT what is the point of doing more of them if I do not know if I have the right answer! I guess I would more fully understand the material better IF I had a result like I have in the text. Learning QFT is also allowing the student to develop tool to calculate - hence worked out problems help in that endeavor.
The Ugly: I've seen better Dirac equation formulations and Wick's theorem developements (and application to second order interactions in phi4) is awful compared to other texts and not as straightforward as suggested.
In all, excellent reference book for the intermediate learner or expert that wants to avoid working out details and wants more the results and interpretation but for a student or someone who seeks to make calculations and basic research later on, Peskin and Schroeder is a better choice.