References for Elementary Particle Physics

I've included here books (and some web sites) on elementary particle physics that I am familiar with. This list is by no means complete. I've compiled this list to aid those who are looking for sources other than the class text. For some of the references I include a summary and opinion. The summaries and opinions are solely mine.

Beginner

Books in the beginner category are aimed at a general audience. Their level of mathematics ranges from none to basic calculus. A general picture of the state of the field of elementary particle physics can be gleaned from these books.

  1. The Elegant Universe, Brian Green, , , ISBN .
  2. From Quarks to the Cosmos: Tools of Discovery, Leon M. Lederman and David N. Schramm, 1989, Scientific American Library, ISBN 0-7167-6012-6.

Intermediate

Books in the intermediate category are aimed at advanced undergraduate physics students and physics graduate students. They generally assume an understanding of undergraduate mechanics, E&M, and quantum mechanics. These books are appropriate for Physics 7060 students.

  1. Classical Electrodynamics second edition, J.D. Jackson, 1975, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN 0-471-43132-X. The standard text for graduate electrodynamics, chapters 11 and 12 present special relativity in its full glory.
  2. Introduction to Elementary Particles, David Griffiths, 1987, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN 0-471-60386-4. Though now a bit dated, Griffiths does an excellent job of summarizing the history of particle physics and introducing the subject. If updated, I think this would again be a wonderful text.
  3. Introduction to High Energy Physics, fourth edition, Donald H. Perkins, 2000, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-62196-8. The text chosen for PHY7060. I wish Perkins would use the modern metric for relativity.
  4. Concepts of Particle Physics, Volume I, Kurt Gottfried and Victor F. Weisskopf, 1986, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-504373.

Advanced or Specialized

Books in the advanced or specialized category are aimed at advanced graduate students and beyond. They assume a good understanding of graduate level physics. Some of the these books also assume knowledge in a particular specialty. Students may find these useful for more advanced work.

  1. Advanced Quantum Mechanics, J.J. Sakurai, 1967, Addison Wesley, ISBN 0-201-06710-2.
  2. Experimental Techniques in High Energy Physics, Thomas Ferbel (editor), 1987, Addison Wesley, ISBN 0-201-11487-9.
  3. Gauge Theory of Elementary Particle Physics, Ta-Pei Cheng and Ling-Fong Li, 1984, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-851956-7.
  4. Weak Interactions of Leptons and Quarks, E.D. Commins and P.H. Bucksbaum, 1983, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-27270-6.