CourseSpecifications
From the academic year 2019-2020 up to and including the academic year

Quantum Electrodynamics (C000819)

Course size
Credits 6.0(nominal values; actual values may depend on programme)
Study time 180 h
Contact hrs

52.5h

Course offerings and teaching methods in academic year 2022-2023
null
Lecturers in academic year 2022-2023
Van Neck, Dimitri

WE05

Offered in the following programmes in 2022-2023
null

lecturer-in-charge
crdts

offering

Teaching languages
DutchKeywords
Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Modern Physics, Quantum Electrodynamics, DiracTheoryPosition of the course
The prime goal of this educational unit is to provide a nonrelativistic introduction to quantum
electrodynamics. In addition, electromagnetic interactions within the framework of the Diracequation are also studied.
Contents
Quantum theory of the free e.m.field: Maxwell equations, global and local gauge symmetries,
quantization of the e.m.field, state vectors of the e.m.field, coherent states. Interaction between
radiation and matter, dipole radiation, photon scattering off electrons, Thompson cross-section,
natural linewidth. Second quantization: occupation number representation for bosons andfermions, relation to first quantization, field operators. Interacting quantum fields: FeynmannGoldstone diagrams. Application for nonrelativistic bremsstrahlung: Coulomb interaction,bremsstrahlung cross-section. Divergences and renormalization in QED: quantumfluctuations,
Casimir effect. Renormalization of the electron mass: nonrelativistic approach, Lamb shift,method of Bethe. Electromagnetic coupling using the Dirac equation: minimal coupling,covariant e.m. coupling. Foldy- Wouthuysen transformation: free particle, e.m.field, applicaton
to the H-atom. Compton effect, Klein-Nishinaformula, charge conjugation in Dirac theory,
particle-antiparticle transformation, hole theory.
Initial competences
Knowledge of non-relativistic quantum mechanics and of classical electromagnetism.
Some familiarity with concepts of modern physics (elementary particles, astrophysics).
Thorough working knowledge of mathematical techniques and calculus is essential.
Final competences
1 Calculate autonomously electromagnetic processes in different branches of modern physics.
2 Have a coherent overview of electromagnetic processes in astrophysics, elementary particle
1 physics, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics.
3 Evaluate and apply the contents of the specialized literature on these topics.
4 Give a clear presentation on a chosen subject matter related to QED.
5 Analyze and solve complex problems in QED.
Conditions for credit contract
Access to this course unit via a credit contract is determined after successful competences assessment
Conditions for exam contract(Approved)1This course unit cannot be taken via an exam contract
Teaching methods
Group work, Lecture, Self-reliant study activities
Extra information on the teaching methods
Tutorial classes with contributions from the students themselves (project in groups of 2-3
students, about a topic that can be choosen from a list of QED subjects, followed by an oralpresentation by the group).
Learning materials and price
Recommended textbook:
Greiner, W., Quantum Mechanics: Special Chapters, Springer - Verlag (2006)
Landau R.H., Quantum Mechanics II, J. Wiley & Sons (1990) (chapters on the Dirac equationand e.m. coupling)
Additional material (handouts)
Cost: 15 EUR
ReferencesF.Gross, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and Field Theory, Wiley Science Paperback Series,
1999
W. Greiner, D. Bromley, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics (3rd ed.), Springer-Verlag, 2005
W. Greiner, J. Reinhardt, Quantum Eletrodynamics (3rd ed.), Springer-Verlag, 2005
Course content-related study coaching
The students have a continous opportunity for questions and discussion sessions related to theteaching material that is presented during the lectures. A whole set of study books on QED
topics can be easily consulted. Review articles and educational papers from the Am.J.Phys.
are at the disposal of students. Interactive support through Ufora (e-mail).
Assessment moments
end-of-term and continuous assessment
Examination methods in case of periodic assessment during the first examination period
Oral examination, Open book examination, Assignment
Examination methods in case of periodic assessment during the second examination period
Oral examination, Open book examination, Assignment
Examination methods in case of permanent assessment
Participation, Assignment
Possibilities of retake in case of permanent assessment
examination during the second examination period is possible
Extra information on the examination methods
For the permanent evaluation, the student project is extremely important: the individual input,
the group activity as well as the contribution to the global result (through presentation andscientific report). Using this method, the student gets a very good idea about his progress inmastering the material.
For the periodical evaluation: the final exam requires an "open book" solution of some serious
QED problems. A 2-3 day period is foreseen in order to give students enough time for someresearch, since the tasks given ressemble a research project to a good extent. At the end all
students have to present, individually, their results in an oral discussion session. In this way
both the theoretical knowledge and problem-solving capability is tested.
Calculation of the examination mark
Periodical evaluation (weight: 2/3) and also a form of permanent evaluation (weight: 1/3)
throughout the year.

(Approved)2