MSci EXAMINATION

PHY-415 (MSci 4242) Relativistic Waves and Quantum Fields

Time Allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes

Date: XXth May, 2010

Time: 14:30 - 17:00

Instructions: Answer THREE QUESTIONS only. Each question carries 20

marks. An indicative marking-scheme is shown in square brackets
[ ] after each part of a question. Course work comprises 10% of
the final mark.

Throughout the paper units are used such that ~ = c = 1 (Natural Units).
A FORMULA SHEET is provided at the end of the questions paper.

Numeric calculators are not permitted in this examination. Complete all rough workings in the
answer book and cross through any work which is not to be assessed.

Important Note: The academic regulations state that possession of unauthorised material
at any time when a student is under examination conditions is an assessment offence and can
lead to expulsion from the college. Please check now to ensure that you do not have any notes
in your possession. If you have any then please raise your hand and give them to an invigilator
immediately. Exam papers cannot be removed from the exam room

You are not permitted to read the contents of this question paper until instructed
to do so by an invigilator.

Examiners: Dr. A. Brandhuber (MO), Dr. R. Russo (DMO)

c Queen Mary, University of London 2010
This (reverse cover) page is left blank.
 QUESTION 1: The Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations

(a) Starting from the relativistic energy-momentum relation give a derivation of the Klein-
Gordon (KG) equation for the wave function Ψ(xµ ). Using this result
 show that the
∂Ψ? ~ − ∇Ψ
~ Ψ obey a continuity
quantities ρKG = 2m Ψ ∂t − ∂t Ψ and ~jKG = − 2m Ψ ∇Ψ
i ? ∂Ψ i

? ?

equation. Prove that the KG equation is covariant, i.e. show that if Ψ(xµ ) obeys the KG
equation then also the Lorentz transformed wave function Ψ(Λµ ν xν ) obeys the same
equation. [7]
(b) Find positive and negative energy plane wave solutions of the KG equation and express
the most general solution to the KG equation in terms of these. For both types of plane
wave solutions calculate the density ρKG . Using this result explain why Schrödinger gave
up on the KG equation and instead introduced his non-relativistic wave equation. Which
property of the KG equation is the reason for this problem. Describe briefly what radically
different interpretations are given to Ψ and ρKG in Quantum Field Theory. [6]
(c) Describe how Dirac proposed to circumvent the problems of the KG equation and, hence,
motivate the form of the ansatz for the Dirac equation. Give a derivation of the Dirac
equation stating clearly the novel features of the Dirac equation and its wavefunction.
Derive the continuity equation associated with the Dirac equation and hence argue that
the probability density is positive and conserved. [7]

QUESTION 2: Solutions of the Dirac equation

(a) Consider positive energy plane wave solutions of the Dirac equation (using the Dirac
matrices given on the FORMULA SHEET)
 
−ip·x φ
Ψ = Ne U (p, s) with U (p, s) = ,
χ
where φ and χ denote two component column spinors. Derive equations for φ and χ and
hence find the general expression for U (p, s) up to a normalisation factor N . [6]
(b) Using the positive energy plane wave solutions U (p, s) constructed above, find the normal-
isation constant N by requiring U † (p, s)U (p, s) = 2E. Hence show that U (p, s)U (p, s) =
2m. Note: you may use the identity (~σ · p~)2 = p~2 I2 without proof. [4]
(c) Find the constant parts of the plane wave solutions U (p, s) with the correct normalisation
constants for the case of a Dirac particle at rest p~ = 0 and a Dirac particle moving in the
z direction p~ = (0, 0, pz ). Show that the two U 0 s are related by a boost in the z-direction
where the boost of a Dirac spinor in the z-direction is described by the matrix
 
0 0 1 0
i  0 0 0 −1 
S = e−iωσ(Kz ) , where σ(Kz ) =   .
2 1 0 0 0 
0 −1 0 0
q
Show that the correct boost parameter ω obeys cosh 2 = E+mω
2m
and sinh ω2 = √ pz .
2m(E+m)
Remember, that E, pz and m are related as E 2 = p2z + m2 in this example. [10]

c Queen Mary, University of London 2010 Page 1 Please turn to next page
 QUESTION 3: Symmetries and gauge fields

(a) State what is meant by covariance (form invariance) of a relativistic wave equation under
symmetry transformations. Symmetries of relativistic wave equations (and quantum field
theories) can be continuous global, continuous local or discrete; give one example of each
type. [4]

(b) Show that the electromagnetic field strength F µν = ∂ µ Aν − ∂ ν Aµ is invariant under the
gauge transformation Aµ → Aµ + ∂ µ χ, with χ an arbitrary, real function of the space-
time coordinates. How must the Dirac field Ψ transform under a gauge transformation,
in order that the combined transformation of Aµ and Ψ preserves the QED Lagrangian
(proof required)
1
LQED = − F µν Fµν + Ψ(i∂/ + qA/ − m)Ψ .
4
[6]

(c) The Lagrangian density for a massive vector field Bµ is

1 1
L = − Fµν F µν + m2 Bµ B µ ,
4 2
where the fieldstrength is defined as Fµν = ∂µ Bν − ∂ν Bµ and m is the mass of the vector
field. Find the Euler-Lagrange equations of motion for Bν and show (for m 6= 0) that
they imply
∂ν B ν = 0 .
[7]
Is the Lagrangian density L invariant under gauge transformations Bν → Bν + ∂ν χ(x),
where χ(x) is an arbitrary function depending on xν ? Justify your answer. [1]
Find plane wave solutions of the form B µ = µ e−ip·x and show that the polarisation vector
is transverse i.e.  · p = 0. [2]

c Queen Mary, University of London 2010 Page 2 Please turn to next page
 QUESTION 4: The neutral Klein-Gordon field

(a) The free, neutral Klein-Gordon field φ = φ† has Lagrangian density

1
L = (∂µ φ∂ µ φ − m2 φ2 ) .
2
Obtain the field equation for φ and the Hamiltonian density H in terms of φ and its
derivatives. [4]

(b) The free, neutral Klein Gordon field may be expanded in the form

d3 k
Z h i
φ= a( ~k) e−ik·x + a† (~k) eik·x ,
2E~k (2π)3
p
with E~k = + ~k 2 + m2 and k · x = E~k t − ~k · ~x. Show that the commutation relations of
the operators a and a† (see FORMULA SHEET at the end of exam paper) are compatible
with the equal time commutation relation

[φ(t, ~x), Π(t, ~x0 )] = iδ (3) (~x − ~x0 ) ,

where Π = φ̇ denotes the momentum canonically conjugate to φ. [6]

(c) Using the commutation relations for a(~k) and a† (~k) given on the FORMULA SHEET
calculate the commutator of two field operators at general space-time points x and y

i∆(x − y) = [φ(x), φ(y)] .

Note that you do not have to perform the final three-momentum integral explicitly. Show
that the result is Lorentz invariant and vanishes for space like separations (x − y)2 < 0.
Discuss the physical significance of the latter property of [φ(x), φ(y)]. [5]

(d) The normal ordered form of the Hamiltonian operator of the real Klein-Gordon field can
be written in the form
d3 k
Z
H= 3
E~k a† (~k)a(~k) .
2E~k (2π)
Show that the vacuum expectation value of this Hamiltonian, i.e. the vacuum energy
h0|H|0i vanishes  the †appropriate definition of the vacuum state |0i.
giving
Show that H, a (~p) = Ep~ a (~p) using the commutation relations for a(~k) and a† (~k) given
†


on the FORMULA SHEET. Hence, what is the physical interpretation of the operators
a† (~p)? [5]

c Queen Mary, University of London 2010 Page 3 Please turn to next page
 QUESTION 5: The S-matrix

Consider the theory of an interacting neutral scalar field with Lagrangian density
1 1 1
L = ∂µ φ∂ µ φ − m2 φ2 − λφ4 .
2 2 4!
From Dyson’s formula one infers that the S-matrix is given by
 Z 
4
S = T exp i d x : Lint (x) : .

(a) Define the free Langrangian L0 and the interaction part Lint . Write down the first three
terms in a perturbative expansion of S. Briefly explain the meaning of the symbol
T . What is the meaning of the normal ordering prescription “: :”? Hence what are
: a(~k)a† (~p) : and : a† (~k)a(~p) :? Note that a and a† are the lowering/raising operators of
the neutral Klein-Gordon field. [4]

(b) Consider the scattering of two particles with momenta p~1 and p~2 into two particles with
momenta p~3 and p~4 . Write down the in- and out-states using the operators a, a† and the
vacuum state |0i. [2]
Write down the first two terms of the S-matrix element h~p3 , p~4 |S|~p1 , p~2 i and show that
the zero-th order term is given by

S0 = (2π)6 4Ep~1 Ep~2 δ (3) (~p4 − p~1 )δ (3) (~p3 − p~2 ) + δ (3) (~p3 − p~1 )δ (3) (~p4 − p~2 ) .
 

Give a physical interpretation of the result. Note: you may use the commutation relations
for the operators a and a† given on the FORMULA SHEET. [5]

(c) Now consider the first order term of the S-matrix element and show that it equals
(−iλ)(2π)4 δ (4) (~p1 + p~2 − p~3 − p~4 ). Hints: In your derivation you can be sloppy with
numerical factors. Furthermore, you may use the following results without proof:
Z
: φ (x) := 6 dkdk 0 dk 00 dk 000 a† (~k)a† (~k)0 a(~k)00 a(~k)000 exp(i(k + k 0 − k 00 − k 000 ) · x)
4

where dk is shorthand for d3 k/((2π)3 2E~k ), k · x = E~k t − ~k · ~x, and

a(~p3 )a(~p4 )a† (~p1 )a† (~p2 )|0i = S0 |0i

where you can take the expression for S0 from Question 5(b). [9]

c Queen Mary, University of London 2010 Page 4 Please turn to next page
 FORMULA SHEET (in units ~ = c = 1)

4-vector notation:
 
1 0 0 0
 0 −1 0 0 
a · b = aµ bµ = aµ bµ = aµ bν ηµν = aµ bν η µν with ηµν = η µν =
 0 0 −1 0 


0 0 0 −1
xµ = (t, ~x) , xµ = (t, −~x)
   
µ ∂ ∂ ~ ∂ ∂ ~
∂ = = , −∇ , ∂µ = = , ∇ , pbµ = i∂ µ , pbµ = i∂µ
∂xµ ∂t ∂xµ ∂t

p · pb + m2 )ψ = (∂µ ∂ µ + m2 )ψ = ( + m2 )ψ = 0
Klein-Gordon equation: (−b

∂
Free Dirac equation in Hamiltonian form: i ∂t α·b
Ψ = (~ p~ + βm)Ψ, or in covariant form:

(i∂/ − m)Ψ = (iγ µ ∂µ − m)Ψ = (b

/p − m)Ψ = (γ · pb − m)Ψ = (γ µ pbµ − m)Ψ = 0

Dirac and Gamma matrices:

(αi )2 = I4 , i = 1, 2, 3; β 2 = I4 ; αi αj + αj αi = 0 , i 6= j; αi β + βαi = 0 , i 6= j;
γ 0 = β, γ i = βαi , {γ µ , γ ν } = 2η µν I4 ,
γ5 = iγ 0 γ 1 γ 2 γ 3

Dirac matrices:    
i 0 σi I2 0
α = , i = 1, 2, 3 , β = ,
σi 0 0 −I2
where the Pauli matrices are
     
1 0 1 2 0 −i 3 1 0
σ = , σ = , σ = .
1 0 i 0 0 −1

Note that αi , β and γ 0 are Hermitian, wheras the γ i are anti-Hermitian. Id represents a d × d
identity matrix.

Commutation relations of the raising/lowering operators of the neutral Klein-Gordon field:

h i h i h i p
a(k), a(k ) = a (k), a (k ) = 0, a(k), a (k ) = (2π)3 2E~k δ (3) (~k−~k 0 ) with E~k = + ~k 2 + m2 .
~ ~ 0 † ~ † ~0 ~ † ~0

c Queen Mary, University of London 2010: Dr. A. Brandhuber Page 5 End of paper