Physics / research
Renormalization and the research frontier
Work through renormalization, gauge theory, nonperturbative methods, and the limits of current theory.
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Module 01 research
Renormalization and the research frontier
Work through renormalization, gauge theory, nonperturbative methods, and the limits of current theory.
- 01
Regularization and renormalization
Separate a regulated calculation from measured parameters and derive a one-loop mass counterterm.
24 min - 02
Renormalization group and effective theories
Organize predictions by scale, derive running from a beta function, and estimate an effective theory's omissions.
25 min - 03
Gauge fixing and BRST
Count physical configurations once and understand why nilpotent symmetry organizes unphysical fields.
27 min - 04
Non-Abelian gauge theory
Derive gauge-boson self-interactions from curvature and interpret asymptotic freedom without overclaiming confinement.
26 min - 05
Spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism
Expand around a vacuum, derive radial and angular modes, and separate global symmetry breaking from gauge redundancy.
27 min - 06
Quantum anomalies and consistency
Distinguish anomalous global currents from inconsistent gauge symmetries and test a chiral charge assignment.
28 min - 07
Thermal field theory and imaginary time
Derive the thermal boundary condition from a trace and connect Matsubara frequencies with equilibrium occupations.
26 min - 08
Lattice and nonperturbative methods
Understand a lattice regulator, extract a mass from Euclidean decay, and identify statistical and systematic limits.
28 min - 09
Conformal field theory and the bootstrap
Derive a scalar two-point function from symmetry and understand how crossing constrains a theory.
29 min - 10
Modern scattering and open questions
Derive the optical theorem's structure and see how on-shell consistency organizes calculations without pretending to solve all QFT.
30 min