Synoptic Contents of

QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter

by Richard P. Feynman

(Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1985)

prepared by Dan Styer, Dan.Styer@oberlin.edu

Feynman's little book QED is beautifully organized, but this organization is not reflected through section divisions or by the chapter headings. The synoptic contents presented here provides a road map through the book that breaks the subject down into smaller pieces.

Introduction
   Preview............................................3-9
   Approach taken by these lectures..................9-12

The Framework of Quantum Mechanics
   Light and photons................................13-16
   Description of partial reflection................16-24
   Calculation of partial reflection
      through probability amplitudes................24-33
   Iridescence......................................33-35
   Review and preview...............................36-38
   Reflection from a mirror.........................38-45
   Diffraction grating..............................45-49
   Other properties of light........................50-59
   Compound events..................................59-63
   Partial reflection again.........................64-72
   Concomitant events...............................72-76
   Review...........................................77-78
   Measurement......................................78-82

Quantum Electrodynamics
   The three basic actions..........................82-85
   Space-time diagrams..............................86-87
   Amplitudes for the three basic actions...........88-92
   Electron-electron scattering,
      diagrammatic perturbation theory..............92-97
   Electron-photon scattering, antiparticles........97-99
   Atoms...........................................99-101
   Partial reflection of photons
      from a fundamental point of view............101-107
   Transmission of photons through media
      from a fundamental point of view............107-110
   Photon clumping (bosons, stimulated emission)..110-112
   Exclusion principle, chemistry,
      solid state physics.........................112-114
   Magnetic moment of the electron................115-119
   Review.........................................119-120
   Polarization...................................120-122
   Classical limit................................122-123
   Review.........................................124-125
   Renormalization................................125-129
   Origin of the coupling constants...............129-130

The Rest of Physics
   Nuclear physics and quarks.....................130-134
   The strong force...............................134-139
   The weak force.................................139-143
   The replication of generations.................143-149
   Grand unification..............................149-150
   Gravitation........................................151
   Closing............................................152