QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter

Richard P. Feynman

Published by Princeton University Press 1988

QED

The Strange Theory of Light and Matter

Richard P. Feynman
With contributions by: Anthony Zee

Volume 33 in the series Princeton Science Library

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400847464

Overview
Contents

About this book

Celebrated for his brilliantly quirky insights into the physical world, Nobel laureate Richard Feynman also possessed an extraordinary talent for explaining difficult concepts to the general public. Here Feynman provides a classic and definitive introduction to QED (namely, quantum electrodynamics), that part of quantum field theory describing the interactions of light with charged particles. Using everyday language, spatial concepts, visualizations, and his renowned "Feynman diagrams" instead of advanced mathematics, Feynman clearly and humorously communicates both the substance and spirit of QED to the layperson. A. Zee's introduction places Feynman’s book and his seminal contribution to QED in historical context and further highlights Feynman’s uniquely appealing and illuminating style.

Author / Editor information

Richard P. Feynman (1918–1988) was professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology. A. Zee is professor of physics at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the author of Fearful Symmetry: The Search for Beauty in Modern Physics, Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell, and Einstein Gravity in a Nutshell (all Princeton).

Reviews

"Using clear language, many visuals, and his own Feynman diagrams, the author presents a clear introduction to the quantum theory of the inter-action of light with matter, without mathematics but with humor."

"Praise for Princeton's original edition:"Feynman's lectures must have been marvellous and they have been turned into an equally entrancing book, a vivid introduction to QED which is leavened and enlivened by his wit. Anyone with a curiosity about physics today should buy it, not only to get to grips with the deepest meaning of quantum theory but to possess a slice of history.""---Pedro Waloschek, Nature

"Praise for Princeton's original edition: "Feynman simply cannot help being original. In this quirky, fascinating book, he explains to laymen the quantum theory of light.""

"Physics Nobelist Feynman simply cannot help being original. In this quirky, fascinating book, he explains to laymen the quantum theory of light, a theory to which he made decisive contributions."

"Praise for Princeton's original edition: "In four conversational and breezy chapters. . . . Feynman, who himself gave the theory its most useful and powerful form, undertakes without one equation to explain QED to the generality of readers.""---Philip Morrison, Scientific American

"Feynman's lectures must have been marvelous and they have been turned into an equally entrancing book, a vivid introduction to QED which is leavened and enlivened by his wit. Anyone with a curiosity about physics today should buy it, not only to get to grips with the deepest meaning of quantum theory but to possess a slice of history."---Pedro Waloschek, Nature

"Praise for Princeton's original edition:"[A]nother tour de force by the acknowledged master of clear explanation in physics.""---John Roche, Times Literary Supplement

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Introduction to the 2006 Edition Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Foreword Publicly Available Download PDF	xxi
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	xxiii
Acknowledgment Publicly Available Download PDF	xxv
QED Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
1. Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	3
2. Photons: Particles of Light Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	36
3. Electrons and Their Interactions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	77
4. Loose Ends Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	124
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	153