Introduction to QCD Sum Rule Approach

Abstract

In these lectures, I describe the techniques used within the QCD sum rule approach. The basic concepts of the approach are introduced using a simple model of quantum-mechanical oscillator in 2+1 dimensions. Then I discuss their field-theoretical extension and the construction of the operator product expansion for current correlators in QCD. The calculation of static parameters is illustrated on the example of sum rules in the vector and axial meson channels. Finally, the QCD sum rule calculation of the pion electromagnetic form factor is presented as an example of application of the method to dynamic characteristics of the hadrons.