Field Theory

Field Theory References

An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory by Peskin and Schroeder
- Section 15.1 - Explains how to derive the QED Lagrangian from invariance principles
Advanced Quantum Mechanics by Sakurai
- Section 3.4, 3.5 - Explains why gamma matrices are needed to ensure Lorentz invariance
Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell by Zee
- Page 168 - Explains that gauge invariance is not a real symmetry, but a reflection of the fact that Lorentz vectors are redundant for describing photons with only two physical degrees of freedom.

Gauge Theories in Particle Physics by Aitchison and Hey (Third Edition)
- Section 2.2 - Contains the Yukawa-Wick argument that explains the connection between the range of a force and the mass of its propagator
Quantum Field Theory by Ryder (Second Edition)
- Section 2.2, 2.3 - Derives the Klein-Gordon equation and the Dirac equation and states that the former is for spin 0 and the latter is for spin 1/2.

Modern Quantum Mechanics by Sakurai (Revised Edition)
- Section 3.2 - Derives that spin operators are the generators of rotation
Spin, Helicity and the Dirac Equation by Thomson (Class Notes)
- Shows explicitly where Weyl spinors come from

Lie Algebras in Particle Physics by Georgi
- In general it explains the mathematical side of representation theory
Gauge Field Theories: An Introduction with Applications by Guidry
- Page 177 - Operator-based discussion of isospin
Group Theory and Physics by Sternberg
- Good source of definitions