Story of Light: A Short Introduction to Quantum Theory of Quarks and Leptons

M. Y. Han9789812560346, 981-256-034-3

This book presents the essential aspects of relativistic quantum field theory, with minimal use of mathematics. It covers the development of quantum field theory from the original quantization of electromagnetic field to the gauge field theory of interactions among quarks and leptons. Aimed at both scientists and non-specialists, it requires only some rudimentary knowledge of the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of Newtonian mechanics and a basic understanding of the special theory of relativity and quantum mechanics.

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Table of contents :
Acknowledgments……Page 3
Prologue……Page 6
1.Particles and Fields I:Dichotomy……Page 10
2.Lagrangian and HamiltonianDynamics……Page 15
3.Canonical Quantization……Page 22
4.Particles and Fields II: Duality……Page 27
5.Equations for Duality……Page 31
6.Electromagnetic Field……Page 39
7.Emulation of Light I:Matter Fields……Page 42
8.Road Map for FieldQuantization……Page 46
9.Particles and Fields III:Particles as Quanta of Fields……Page 52
10.Emulation of Light II:Interactions……Page 60
11.Triumph and Wane……Page 66
12.Emulation of Light III:Gauge Field……Page 72
13.Quarks and Leptons……Page 78
14.Non-Abelian Gauge FieldTheories……Page 86
Epilogue: Leaps of Faith……Page 93
Appendix 1: The NaturalUnit System……Page 96
Appendix 2: Notation……Page 98
Appendix 3:Velocity-Dependent Potential……Page 100
Appendix 4: FourierDecomposition of Field……Page 103
Appendix 5: Evolution ofColor Charges……Page 105
Index……Page 109