Concepts of Elementary Particle Physics

Michael E. Peskin received his Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University in 1978. He held postdoctoral appointments at Harvard, Cornell, and C.E.N. Saclay. In 1982, he joined the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, where he is now a Professor of Particle Physics and Astrophysics.

• I Preliminaries and Tools1: Introduction2: Symmetries of Space-Time3: Relativistic Wave Equations4: The Hydrogen Atom and Positronium5: The Quark Model6: Detectors of Elementary Particles7: Tools for CalculationII The Strong Interaction8: Electron-Positron Annihilation9: Deep Inelastic Electron Scattering10: The Gluon11: Quantum Chromodynamics12: Partons and Jets13: QCD at Hadron Colliders14: Chiral SymmetryIII The Weak Interaction15: The Current-Current Model of the Weak Interaction16: Gauge Theories with Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking17: The W and Z Bosons18: Quark Mixing Angles and Weak Decays19: CP Violation20: Neutrino Masses and Mixings21: The Higgs Boson22: Epilogue

I field tested this new textbook in a senior-level course that introduces advanced undergraduates to elementary particle physics before they have had the formal training in quantum field theory that is usually needed to rigorously present many aspects of the Standard Model. I say usually, because in his new book, Professor Peskin adeptly manages to avoid this prerequisite, in a comprehensive, modern, and unique exposition that is a welcome addition to teachers of the subject at this level.