Quantum Field Theory (International Series in Pure and Applied Physics) (Hardcover)

by Claude Itzykson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details Hardcover: 705 pages Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (April 1980) Language: English ISBN-10: 0070320713 ISBN-13: 978-0070320710 Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1.5 inches Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,725,732 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Citations (learn more)

100 books cite this book:

• Gauge Theories Of Strong, Weak, And Electromagnetic Interactions (Advanced Book Classics) by Chris Quigg on 5 pages
• Critical Properties of o4 Theories by Kleinert Hagen on 4 pages
• Relativistic Electronic Structure Theory: Part 1, Fundamentals (Theoretical and Computational Chemistry) by P. Politzer on page 196, page 464, and page 619
• Atom-Field Interactions and Dressed Atoms (Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics) by G. Compagno on page 80, page 203, and Back Matter
• Advanced Quantum Mechanics by Franz Schwabl in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)

See all 100 books citing this book

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 38 of 39 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A Field Theory Textbook Like no other, June 30, 2000 By A Customer Finding a good field theory textbook is one of the harder tasks of people's lives - but Itzykson's book is truly incredible. Starting from the very beginning, it develops the operator formalism with the Dirac equation, moves onto perturbation theory, then onto functional methods - and then to asymptotic methods. It's truly comprehensive. However, it's strongest selling point is the fact that it actually works out examples in incredible detail - where else do you find a complete computation of a two loop vacuum polarization amplitude? This is the ideal book for someone who actually wants to learn how to do calculations in field theory. It has two shortcomings - it was written in the 80's so it isn't very modern and it has no problems. But those pale in light of its advantages. 22 of 26 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for its time, March 14, 2003 By  Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)       This book has been used a great deal both in classes on quantum field theory and as a reference, and, in spite of its date of publication, it could still serve as such, if supplemented with updated materials. There is a lot in this book that one could not find at the time it was published, and was a welcome relief to those who needed a textbook that was more up to date than Bjorken and Drell's classic work on quantum field theory. Some of the highlights of the book include: 1. The "wave packet" solution of the Dirac equation and the Zitterbewegung phenomenon, which the authors use as a counterexample to the idea of treating negative energy states in the framework of a 1-particle theory. 2. The treatment of two-body relativistic corrections to study the recoil of the nucleus, this being done in the context of the Dirac equation. 3. The use of the Dirac hole theory to motivate the need for a true many-body theory to accomodate particles and antiparticles via quantized fields. 4. A fairly lengthy discussion of the Fock-Schwinger proper time method to obtain an exact expression for the Dirac propagator in a constant uniform electromagnetic field and a plane wave electromagnetic field. 5. The discussion on the use of coherent states to study the positive frequency part of a (free) quantum field. 6. The discussion on charged scalar fields, and why they are needed to formulate a (scalar) theory of particles and antiparticles. 7. The quantization of the electromagnetic field using the Gupta-Bleuler method using an indefinite metric, and the need for retaining the full Fock space (with indefinite norm) in order to preserve locality. 8. The discussion of the vacuum fluctuations via the Casimir effect. 9. The treatment of the Dirac field and the Pauli exclusion principle. The authors begin with two complex fields that both satisfy the Dirac equation, but the Lagrangian then vanishes. They thus are careful to note that canonical quantization will not work, and so they turn to the using their transformation laws under the Poincare group. The derivation of the anticommutators is purely heuristic (and they note this), and they point out that locality would not be satisfied if canonical quantization were followed. The same holds true, as they state also, if one were to quantize a scalar theory according to Fermi statistics. Their discussion here is a neat illustration of the spin-statistics theorem. 10. The discussion of form factors, which they motivate by calling them a relativistic generalization of charge distributions. 11. The discussion of the Euler-Heisenberg effective Lagrangian, and its ability, even though it is "classical", to model nonlinear phenomena due to quantum corrections. 12. The discussion of the Jost-Lehmann-Dyson representation. 13. The discussion of Euclidean Green functions. 14. The derivation of the Ward-Takahashi identities and the proof that they are preserved by the regularization and renormalization operations. 15. The discussion on functional integration in Bargmann-Fock space, in particular its use in fermion systems. 16. The discussion of the Schwinger-Dyson equations and their use in studying quantum field theory independent of perturbation theory. The existence of a bound state in quantum field theory has yet to be proven using these equations, but they supposedly hold the answer to this existence. The authors give an example of scalar particles interacting via the exchange of scalar particles via the Bethe-Salpeter equation, which are then studied via Wick rotation and where crossed-ladder diagrams are omitted. They also analyze the hyperfine splitting in positronium, but remark that the methods used for this are not entirely satisfactory. 17. The discussion of the sigma model, a topic that has become very important of late. 18. The discussion of asymptotic behavior, the authors emphasizing how the infinities in the relation between bare and renormalized charges and how these infinities must compensate imposes constraints on the theory, which show up in the asymptotic behavior. Some of the omissions which might be expected from a modern standpoint: 1. Representations of the Poincare group. 2. Critical phenomena. 3. Integrable systems in quantum field theory 4. Finite temperature quantum field theory. 5. Quantum field theory in curved spacetime. 6. A more in-depth treatment of instantons (the authors only spend one page on them). 7. Topological quantum field theory. 10 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, August 31, 2001 By A Customer This is one of the best field theory texts written. Not an introduction but is suitable for the reader who already has a background in QFT at the level of Hatfield. The authors write very clearly and maintain a level of mathematical rigor superior to other QFT books I've encountered. The text is filled with numerous examples and interesting details. Each topic is dealt with thoroughly leaving the reader well grounded in the material. The presentation is pedagogical and very readable. This is a must read for anyone wishing to study field theory beyond the basics and obtain a mastery of the subject. It is too bad that it is no longer in print. I was fortunate enough to buy a copy when it was still on the shelves. I would imagine though that almost every scientific library would have copy.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars excellent a book so cheap yet so great. the shipment is fast too. recommend to others who need it. Published 20 months ago by Gen Long 5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend "Quantum Field Theory" by Itzykson and Zuber As anybody who is an expert or a student in the field knows, this is the best book available on the subject. Dover Publication Inc. Read more Published on February 18, 2007 by Nicely007 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 705 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (April 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070320713
• ISBN-13: 978-0070320710
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,725,732 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Field Theory Textbook Like no other, June 30, 2000

By A Customer

Finding a good field theory textbook is one of the harder tasks of people's lives - but Itzykson's book is truly incredible. Starting from the very beginning, it develops the operator formalism with the Dirac equation, moves onto perturbation theory, then onto functional methods - and then to asymptotic methods. It's truly comprehensive.

However, it's strongest selling point is the fact that it actually works out examples in incredible detail - where else do you find a complete computation of a two loop vacuum polarization amplitude? This is the ideal book for someone who actually wants to learn how to do calculations in field theory.

It has two shortcomings - it was written in the 80's so it isn't very modern and it has no problems. But those pale in light of its advantages.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for its time, March 14, 2003

By	Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book has been used a great deal both in classes on quantum field theory and as a reference, and, in spite of its date of publication, it could still serve as such, if supplemented with updated materials. There is a lot in this book that one could not find at the time it was published, and was a welcome relief to those who needed a textbook that was more up to date than Bjorken and Drell's classic work on quantum field theory.

Some of the highlights of the book include: 1. The "wave packet" solution of the Dirac equation and the Zitterbewegung phenomenon, which the authors use as a counterexample to the idea of treating negative energy states in the framework of a 1-particle theory. 2. The treatment of two-body relativistic corrections to study the recoil of the nucleus, this being done in the context of the Dirac equation. 3. The use of the Dirac hole theory to motivate the need for a true many-body theory to accomodate particles and antiparticles via quantized fields. 4. A fairly lengthy discussion of the Fock-Schwinger proper time method to obtain an exact expression for the Dirac propagator in a constant uniform electromagnetic field and a plane wave electromagnetic field. 5. The discussion on the use of coherent states to study the positive frequency part of a (free) quantum field. 6. The discussion on charged scalar fields, and why they are needed to formulate a (scalar) theory of particles and antiparticles. 7. The quantization of the electromagnetic field using the Gupta-Bleuler method using an indefinite metric, and the need for retaining the full Fock space (with indefinite norm) in order to preserve locality. 8. The discussion of the vacuum fluctuations via the Casimir effect. 9. The treatment of the Dirac field and the Pauli exclusion principle. The authors begin with two complex fields that both satisfy the Dirac equation, but the Lagrangian then vanishes. They thus are careful to note that canonical quantization will not work, and so they turn to the using their transformation laws under the Poincare group. The derivation of the anticommutators is purely heuristic (and they note this), and they point out that locality would not be satisfied if canonical quantization were followed. The same holds true, as they state also, if one were to quantize a scalar theory according to Fermi statistics. Their discussion here is a neat illustration of the spin-statistics theorem. 10. The discussion of form factors, which they motivate by calling them a relativistic generalization of charge distributions. 11. The discussion of the Euler-Heisenberg effective Lagrangian, and its ability, even though it is "classical", to model nonlinear phenomena due to quantum corrections. 12. The discussion of the Jost-Lehmann-Dyson representation. 13. The discussion of Euclidean Green functions. 14. The derivation of the Ward-Takahashi identities and the proof that they are preserved by the regularization and renormalization operations. 15. The discussion on functional integration in Bargmann-Fock space, in particular its use in fermion systems. 16. The discussion of the Schwinger-Dyson equations and their use in studying quantum field theory independent of perturbation theory. The existence of a bound state in quantum field theory has yet to be proven using these equations, but they supposedly hold the answer to this existence. The authors give an example of scalar particles interacting via the exchange of scalar particles via the Bethe-Salpeter equation, which are then studied via Wick rotation and where crossed-ladder diagrams are omitted. They also analyze the hyperfine splitting in positronium, but remark that the methods used for this are not entirely satisfactory. 17. The discussion of the sigma model, a topic that has become very important of late. 18. The discussion of asymptotic behavior, the authors emphasizing how the infinities in the relation between bare and renormalized charges and how these infinities must compensate imposes constraints on the theory, which show up in the asymptotic behavior.

Some of the omissions which might be expected from a modern standpoint: 1. Representations of the Poincare group. 2. Critical phenomena. 3. Integrable systems in quantum field theory 4. Finite temperature quantum field theory. 5. Quantum field theory in curved spacetime. 6. A more in-depth treatment of instantons (the authors only spend one page on them). 7. Topological quantum field theory.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, August 31, 2001

By A Customer

This is one of the best field theory texts written. Not an introduction but is suitable for the reader who already has a background in QFT at the level of Hatfield. The authors write very clearly and maintain a level of mathematical rigor superior to other QFT books I've encountered. The text is filled with numerous examples and interesting details. Each topic is dealt with thoroughly leaving the reader well grounded in the material. The presentation is pedagogical and very readable. This is a must read for anyone wishing to study field theory beyond the basics and obtain a mastery of the subject.

It is too bad that it is no longer in print. I was fortunate enough to buy a copy when it was still on the shelves. I would imagine though that almost every scientific library would have copy.