Quantum field theory, which started with Paul Diraca (TM)s work
shortly after the discovery of quantum mechanics, has produced an
impressive and important array of results. Quantum electrodynamics,
with its extremely accurate and well-tested predictions, and the
standard model of electroweak and chromodynamic (nuclear) forces
are examples of successful theories. Field theory has also been
applied to a variety of phenomena in condensed matter physics,
including superconductivity, superfluidity and the quantum Hall
effect. The concept of the renormalization group has given us a new
perspective on field theory in general and on critical phenomena in
particular. At this stage, a strong case can be made that quantum
field theory is the mathematical and intellectual framework for
describing and understanding all physical phenomena, except
possibly for a quantum theory of gravity.
Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Perspective presents Professor
Naira (TM)s view of certain topics in field theory loosely knit
together as it grew out of courses on field theory and particle
physics taught at Columbia University and the City College of CUNY.
The first few chapters, up to Chapter 12, contain material that
generally goes into any course on quantum field theory, although
there are a few nuances of presentation which readers may find to
be different from other books. This first part of the book can be
used for a general course on field theory, omitting, perhaps, the
last three sections in Chapter 3, the last two in Chapter 8 and
sections 6 and 7 in Chapter 10. The remaining chapters cover some
of the more modern developments over the last three decades,
involving topological and geometricalfeatures. The introduction
given to the mathematical basis of this part of the discussion is
necessarily brief and should be accompanied by books on the
relevant mathematical topics as indicated in the bibliography.
Professor Nair also concentrates on developments pertinent to a
better understanding of the standard model. There is no discussion
of supersymmetry, supergravity, developments in field theory
inspired by string theory, etc. There is also no detailed
discussion of the renormalization group. Each of these topics would
require a book in its own right to do justice to the topic. Quantum
Field Theory: A Modern Perspective serves as a portal to so many
more topics of detailed and ongoing research, referring readers to
more detailed treatments for many specific topics. The book also
contains extensive references, providing readers a more
comprehensive perspective on the literature and the historical
development of the subject.
V. Parameswaran Nair is Professor of Physics at City College of
The City University of New York (CUNY). Professor Nair has held
Visiting Professorships at The Abdus Salam International Center for
Theoretical Physics, Rockefeller University, Institute for Advanced
Study at Princeton, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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