Books and References

Indian Lattice Gauge Theory Initiative,
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, 400005, India

Factoid

The universe was born 14 billion years ago in a big bang. After the big bang, the universe began to expand and cool. When it was 10 micro seconds old it was full of a state of matter called the quark gluon plasma. This is the state of matter we study on super computers.

Meetings

Lattice 2017 will be held in Granada, Spain on 19--24 June, 2017. A complete list of meetings held in TIFR is available.

Gauge configurations

Some gauge configurations are available for use on request (see a list). Please request gauge configurations from ilgti at theory fullstop tifr dot res period in.

This page contains material directed at physics students and teachers. Feedback is appreciated: positive, negative or more links. (sgupta at tifr.res.in)

Introduction to particle physics and quarks

Books

The textbook Introduction to High Energy Physics by Donald E. Perkins is considered to be a classic introduction to the field (2000, Cambridge Univ Press). An equal alternative is the book Introduction to Elementary Particles by David Griffiths (1987, Wiley). Couple one of these with introductory books on quantum field theory such as Quantum Field Theory by Lewis H. Ryder (2001, Cambridge Univ Press) or Gauge Theories in Particle Physics by Ian J.R. Aitchison and Anthony J.G. Hey and you are doing well.

Introduction to strong interactions and QCD

Books

The textbook Quantum Chromodynamics by Walter Greiner (1994, Springer Verlag) is often preferred by students as the least painful introduction to this subject. However, it may be good to supplement this by an authoritative book such as An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory by Michael Peskin and Daniel Schroeder (1995, Addison-Wesley). Applications of field theory to particle physics is well done in Quarks and Leptons: an Introduction to Modern Particle Physics by Francis Halzen and Alan Martin (1984, John Wiley).

Supplementary Material

The Nobel prize for physics in 2004 was given to Frank Wilczek, H. David Politzer and David Gross for the modern theory of strong interactions which is called Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Their Nobel lectures (W, P, G) may be interesting. An article in the AAPPS Bulletin (Jan 2005) by Akira Ukawa (Tsukuba, Japan) puts this prize in perspective. A talk (powerpoint) (Jan 2005) may help in filling in some of the background.

Introduction to lattice gauge theory

Books

The slim monograph Quarks, Gluons and Lattices by Michael Creutz (1985, Cambridge University Press) is a classic. It introduces lattice gauge theory as it was in the initial days. A comprehensive modern text book is Quantum Fields on a Lattice by Istvan Montvay and Gernot Munster (1994, Cambridge University Press). This is highly recommended. Lattice Gauge Theories: an introduction by Heinz Rothe (1998, World Scientific) is not nearly as comprehensive, but could be a quicker read.

Supplementary Material

An article in Physics Today (Aug 2000) by Frank Wilczek (MIT, USA) introduces "Quantum Chromodynamics" (QCD) and outlines the major open problems in this field. It sets into perspective the role of lattice gauge theory in solving these problems.

Reminiscences by Michael Creutz (Brookhaven Lab, USA) about the early days of lattice gauge theory, in a recent article (dated Jul 2003: pdf | ps) also explains why this technique is needed.

If you have some acquaintance with quantum field theory then you could look at the slides (dated Nov 2003: pdf | ps) of a colloquium by Michael Creutz (Brookhaven Lab, USA) on lattice gauge theory.

Lattice gauge theory today

An article in the AAPPS Bulletin (Jan 2005) by Akira Ukawa (Tsukuba, Japan) gives an overview of the status of lattice gauge theory today.

An article in Physics Today (Feb 2004) by Carleton DeTar (Utah, USA) and Steven Gottlieb (Indiana, USA) gives an overview of the status of lattice gauge theory at that date. There is also an alternative view by Herbert Neuberger (Rutgers, USA) (dated Nov 2003: pdf | ps).