Updates (most recent first):

• 5/16/14   Final HWs have been graded and returned to mailboxes. Thanks for a fun quarter, and have great summers!
• 5/5/14   Now that we've seen the arguments that the phi^4 theory in d=4 is trivial, I note that not everyone agrees. Indeed, there is a new paper on the arXiv today by John Klauder continuing his argument that a non-trivial version of the theory can be constructed with an appropriate unconventional counterterm. Anyone want to try and understand this paper?
• 2/18/14   Welcome to the 578 website. This course aims to provide both an introduction to lattice field theory and a sampling of modern applications. It is aimed particularly at students working in or interested in particle and nuclear theory. It should also be accessible to any interested student who has a basic grounding in Quantum Field Theory (i.e. PHYS 570/571 or equivalent).

  For more details, see the syllabus.

Office hours and contact information

• Prof. Steve Sharpe   srsharpe@uw.edu   B406 PAB  685-2395
• Office hours: available by appointment or just drop by my office or send email.
• TA: Max Hansen (B402 PAB)

Texts

• There is no required text. I will provide lecture notes, and suggestions for extra reading. The following are books that I think are good resources for the material to be discussed.
  "Introduction to Quantum Fields on a Lattice," (Cambridge Lecture Notes in Physics, 2002) by Jan Smit. A concise and very clear set of notes from one of the pioneers of the field.
  "Quantum Chromodynamics on the Lattice," (Springer Lecture Notes in Physics, vol. 788, 2010) by Christof Gattringer and Christian Lang. A very thorough and accessible introduction, focused on lattice QCD.
  "Lattice Methods for Quantum Chromodynamics," (World Scientific, 2006) by Thomas DeGrand and Carleton DeTar. Another very thorough and accessible introduction, focused on lattice QCD.
  "Lattice Gauge Theories: An Introduction," (World Scientific Lecture Notes in Physics, Vol. 82; 4th Ed. 2012) by Heinz J. Rothe. An expansive and thorough introduction that has been kept up to date.
  "Quantum Fields on a Lattice," (Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics, 1997) by Istvan Montvay and Gernot Munster. Excellent introductory material, not shying away from technical points. Later sections are getting dated.
  "Introduction to Lattice Fields Theory," (Proceedings on 1993 INT Summer School, World Scientific) by Stephen Sharpe. Introductory lectures, later sections somewhat dated, available in PDF here.

Course Organization and Grading

• This is a credit/no credit class. There will be homework sets due roughly every two weeks. I am open to suggestions for replacing some homeworks with a project. Passing will require reasonable performance on HWs and class participation.

Useful links

• Please suggest interesting links relevant to the class.