The Quantum Theory of Fields

Preface; 1. Historical introduction; 2. Relativistic quantum mechanics; 3. Scattering theory; 4. The cluster decomposition principle; 5. Quantum fields and antiparticles; 6. The Feynman rules; 7. The canonical formalism; 8. Massless particles: electrodynamics; 9. Path integral methods; 10. Nonperturbative methods; 11. One-loop radiative corrections in quantum electrodynamics; 12. General renormalization theory; 13. Infrared effects; 14. Bound states in external fields; Subject index; Author index.

Steven Weinberg, geboren 1946, taucht seit seinem neunten Lebensjahr und hat als Meeresbiologe und Unterwasserfotograf die ganze Welt bereist. Er veröffentlichte zahlreiche Bücher über die Welt der Ozeane und ist durch seine populären Kolumnen für ein großes französisches Tauchmagazin bekannt.

'... an impressively lucid and thorough presentation of the subject ... Weinberg manages to present difficult topics with richness of meaning and marvellous clarity. Full of valuable insights, his treatise is sure to become a classic, doing for quantum field theory what Dirac's Quantum Mechanics did for quantum mechanics. I eagerly await the publication of the second volume.' S. S. Schweber, Nature 'For over twenty years there has been no good modern textbook on the subject. For all that time, Steven Weinberg has been promising to write one. That he has finally done it ... is cause for celebration among those who try to teach and try to learn the subject.' Howard Georgi, Science 'To summarize, Foundations builds the structure of quantum field theory on the sure footing of physical insight. It is beautifully produced and meticulously edited ... and it is a real bargain in price. If you want to learn quantum field theory, or have already learned it and want to have a definitive reference at hand, purchase this book.' O. W. Greenberg, Physics Today 'In addition to a superb treatment of all the conventional topics there are numerous sections covering areas that are not normally emphasized, such as the subject of field redefinitions, higher-rank tensor fields and an unusually clear and thorough treatment of infrared effects ... this latest book reinforces his high scholarly standards. It provides a unique exposition that will prove invaluable both to new research students as well as to experienced research workers. Together with Volume 2, this will become a classic text on a subject of central importance to a wide area of theoretical physics.' M. B. Green, CERN Courier 'I believe that what readers will find particularly helpful in this volume is the consistency of the whole approach, and the emphasis on quantities and properties that are directly useful to particle physicists. This is particularly true for those who are interested in the more phenomenological aspects.