Relativistic quantum mechanics

by James D. Bjorken, Sidney D. Drell

In this text the authors develop a propagator theory of Dirac particles, photons, and Klein-Gordon mesons and per- form a series of calculations designed to illustrate various useful techniques and concepts in electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions. these include defining and implementing the renormalization program and evaluating effects of radia- tive corrections, such as the Lamb shift, in low-order calculations. The necessary background for the book is pro- vided by a course in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics at the general level of Schiff's text, QUANTUM MECHANICS.

Genres: Physics, Nonfiction

300 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1964

Reviews

[Bojan Tunguz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I had first started learning about advanced Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory the classical textbooks by Bjorken and Drell had loomed in the background as referenced by most modern Quantum Field Theory textbooks. I finally had a bit more time this summer to go into some detail in older treatments of relativistic quantum mechanics and field theory, so I decided to pick up this book and go through it. The book turned out to be eminently readable, with a good old-fashioned "Physicist's" way of explaining even the most cumbersome calculations. It serves as an interesting bridge between the historical development of relativistic quantum mechanics (or more accurately, wave mechanics) and quantum field theory. There aren't that many textbooks that give a full treatment of Dirac's equation in the context of hydrogen atom, and from that point of view alone this is a valuable book. The propagator theory is introduced gradually and pedagogically, and in more detail than in most other works these days. However, some of the notation is a bit quaint, although clearly recognizable to the modern readers.

A large part of the book is dedicated to perturbative propagator techniques that are these days a standard parcel of the quantum field theoretical toolkit. Furthermore, most of the old conceptual justification for the internal consistency of the relativistic quantum mechanics (like the hole theory) are no longer viewed as accurate and these thorny issues are best dealt with within the quantum field theory proper.

The last few chapters deal with nuclear reactions. Since the book predates both the Weinberg-Salem model and the QCD, it is not surprising that most of the material from these parts of the book is used much anymore. However, it is still a very important and useful read for anyone who is interested in learning about how the theoretical physicists think, and not just with the final "correct" theories.

[Lulu]

Quantum field theory — classic older text that cover a lot of material not found in Peskin and Schroeder's streamlined modern presentation