Mini-school on 'theoretical methods in particle physics'

The program consists of three advanced courses (taught on black- boards) on theoretical
methods in quantum field theory intended for MSc, PhD students, and postdocs:

• The c/a theorem and QFT in curved spacetime (Graham Shore, Swansea University)
• Bound states in gauge theory (Paul Hoyer, University of Helsinki)
• Higher spin theories (Dario Francia, Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa)

No registration fee. Funding for local stay available in exceptional cases.
A preliminary schedule can be found at the bottom of this page.

For more information contact the organizers: Roman.Zwicky [at] ed.ac.uk (Roman Zwicky), Luigi.Del.Debbio [at] ed.ac.uk (Luigi Del Debbio).
Please register by sending an email to admin-general [at] ph.ed.ac.uk. (list of suitable accomodation upon request)

The three courses will cover the following topics

"The c/a theorem and QFT in curved spacetime" (Graham Shore)

Abstract:

The c/a theorem is a fundamental result in quantum field theory constraining
the nature of renormalization group flows and the relation of UV and IR physics.
In the first part of these lectures, we will review early attempts to generalise the
2-dim Zamolodchikov c-theorem to four dimensions, then discuss the 2011 proof
of a 4-dim a-theorem by Komargodski and Schwimmer together with recent
developments and speculations. In the second part, we will discuss QFT in curved
spacetime and show how the background geometry induces a novel analytic
structure for Green functions with important consequences for causality, unitarity,
dispersion relations and the optical theorem, all of which play a vital role in proving
the c/a theorem in flat spacetime.

You can read a nice summary of the current debate on the a-theorem here:

http://www.nature.com/news/proof-found-for-unifying-quantum-principle-1.9352

"Bound states in gauge theory" (Paul Hoyer)

Abstract:

The aim of understanding hadrons as bound states of QCD motivates a study of how
atoms emerge in QED perturbation theory. The properties of atoms in motion illuminate
relativistic effects on bound states, such as Lorentz contraction in quantum physics. The
Dirac equation results from summing a certain subset of Feynman diagrams. The Dirac
spectrum reflects the degrees of freedom of a single electron even though the Fock
states have any number of electron-positron pairs. The solutions of the Dirac equation
for a confining (linear) potential are qualitatively different from those obtained with a 1/r
potential. The QED experience suggests an approach to hadrons which is consistent
with the field theory rules of QCD.

"Higher spin theories" (Dario Francia)

Abstract:

In these lecture we shall provide an introduction to the basics of higher-spin theory.
We shall start with the general structure of the free theory (metric-like and frame-like
approaches in flat and (A)dS bkg, for symmetric and mixed-symmetry fields) to then
move to illustrate the main difficulties met at the interaction level. In the second part
of the course we shall deal with positive results about higher-spin non-linear theories,
including the construction of cubic vertices and Vasiliev's equations. The idea is to
provide an introduction to the essential language and techniques used in the literature,
to highlight some technical steps in a concrete way and to indicate a few open directions.

---- preliminary schedule

Mo Tu We Th Fr

10-12.15 A/C-thm A/C-thm High.Spin Bound Bound

14-16.15 Bound High.Spin A/C-thm High.Spin

coffee-break ca 15 min -- venue: Higgs centre lecture room (Kings Buildings)

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