Can anyone recommend a good account of the Standard Model in particle physics? I know quantum theory quite well and other theoretical physics. But I'd like to read a rigorous, up to date account of Standard Model in order to understand better the Higgs Field/Boson. Thanks.

Question

Can anyone recommend a good account of the Standard Model in particle physics?  I know quantum theory quite well and other theoretical physics. But I'd like to read a rigorous, up to date account of Standard Model in order to understand better the Higgs Field/Boson.  Thanks.

anonymous · Answer

Depends a little on what you mean by "quantum theory."  If you just mean the standard nonrelativistic one-body content of an undergraduate physics degree, then you will need to begin with standard field theory.  I vaguely recall Bjorken and Drell as a classic textbook, but I'm sure there must be more modern books.  If, on the other hand, you mean quantum field theory (so e.g. you know the Diract theory of the electron), then your next step is guage theories.  From there I think you can go directly to monographs on the Standard Model and the Higgs mechanism.  Wish I could be more specific, but that's as far as I know.

jamesj · Answer

Ok. This is the book for me: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521588324/

unklerhaukus · Answer

http://www.particleadventure.org/

anonymous · Answer

That looks like a very good book, James!  I might like to grab it, too.  Thanks.