Quantum Field Theory for Mathematicians : Physicists also invited

 The relationship between physicists and mathematicians is often held akin to that of cats and dogs. 

The latter mainly focuses on obtaining results by any means necessary, often at the expense of so-called mathematical rigour and exactness. The physicist's view of the mathematical world is "if it works, it works".  A mathematician's claim is that physicist is sloppy in their work, and bulldoze through all calculations without the proper due care or diligence to ensure that their work is watertight. 

No matter how you fall on the argument, what is clear is that there remains a great disagreement between the two groups. This has led to very little meaningful interaction between the two, especially where the work of physicists is seen to be far too laxidasical

This book helps remedy the divide between physics and maths by providing a thorough introduction to one of the disagreements between the two: quantum field theory; which has been written by by a mathematician. 

As a physicist, it was an eye-opening journey reading this text. Any theorist would be interested in this text purely for the mathematical insights that are hard to find elsewhere. It also provides context for the calculations in physics we take for granted.

The text covers the fundamentals: quantum mechanics, spin, second quantisation, interactions and renormalisation.  The book focuses not only on mathematical proof, but justifcations of how and why we do things in quantum field theory. 

The text is well written enough that even a graduate physics student would benefit greatly from reading it.

What is a Quantum Field Theory ? 

by Michel Talagrand

Cambridge University Press

ISBN:9781108225144

Price: £ 69.99


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