physics

List of quantum field theories

List of quantum field theories is a physics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand List of quantum field theories rather than just read about it. In short: This is a list of quantum field theories. The first few sections are organized according to their matter content, that is, the types of fields appearing in the theory.

Key takeaways

List of quantum field theories belongs to physics; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect List of quantum field theories to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of List of quantum field theories from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

This is a list of quantum field theories. The first few sections are organized according to their matter content, that is, the types of fields appearing in the theory. This is just one of many ways to organize quantum field theories, but reflects the way the subject is taught pedagogically.

Scalar field theory Theories whose matter content consists of only scalar fields

Klein-Gordon: free scalar field theory φ4 theory Sine-Gordon Toda field theory

Spinor field theory Theories whose matter content consists only of spinor fields

Dirac theory: free spinor field theory Thirring model Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model Gross–Neveu model

Gauge field theory

Theories whose matter content consists only of gauge fields

Yang–Mills theory Proca theory Chern–Simons theory

Interacting theories Spinor and scalar Yukawa model Scalar and gauge Scalar electrodynamics Scalar chromodynamics Yang–Mills–Higgs Spinor and gauge Quantum electrodynamics (QED) Schwinger model (1+1D case of QED) Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) Scalar, spinor and gauge Standard Model

Sigma models Chiral model Non-linear sigma model Wess–Zumino–Witten model

Supersymmetric quantum field theories Wess–Zumino model Supersymmetric Yang–Mills 4D N = 1 global supersymmetry Seiberg–Witten theory Super QCD (sQCD)

Superconformal quantum field theories N = 4 supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory ABJM superconformal field theory 6D (2,0) superconformal field theory

Supergravity quantum field theories Pure 4D N = 1 supergravity 4D N = 1 supergravity Type I supergravity Type IIA supergravity Type IIB supergravity Eleven-dimensional supergravity

String theories Theories studied in the branch of quantum field theory known as string theory. These theories are without supersymmetry.

Polyakov action Nambu-Goto action Bosonic string theory

Other quantum field theories Kondo model (s-d model) Minimal model (Virasoro minimal model)

Branches of quantum field theory String theory Conformal field theory Supersymmetry Topological quantum field theory Noncommutative quantum field theory Axiomatic quantum field theory Local quantum field theory (also known as Algebraic quantum field theory or AQFT) Constructive quantum field theory

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with List of quantum field theories

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what List of quantum field theories claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In physics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to List of quantum field theories before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about List of quantum field theories ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of List of quantum field theories

In research: List of quantum field theories appears in physics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses List of quantum field theories in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: List of quantum field theories is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Quantum field theory, String theory, Supersymmetric quantum field theory, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for List of quantum field theories outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study List of quantum field theories in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what List of quantum field theories means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain List of quantum field theories out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is List of quantum field theories in simple terms?

This is a list of quantum field theories. The first few sections are organized according to their matter content, that is, the types of fields appearing in the theory.

Why does List of quantum field theories matter?

Because it connects several physics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study List of quantum field theories?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on List of quantum field theories.