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Exercises Quantum

This homework assignment has two problems. The first problem involves showing that the Pauli-Lubanski vector Wμ and four-momentum P2 are Casimir operators of the Poincaré group by evaluating their commutators with the generators of translations Pν and Lorentz transformations Lαβ. The second problem involves finding expressions for the stress-energy tensor Tμν, angular momentum J(t), and boosts K(t) for a real free scalar field, and evaluating their commutators with the field φ(x,t) at equal times.

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48 views1 page

Exercises Quantum

This homework assignment has two problems. The first problem involves showing that the Pauli-Lubanski vector Wμ and four-momentum P2 are Casimir operators of the Poincaré group by evaluating their commutators with the generators of translations Pν and Lorentz transformations Lαβ. The second problem involves finding expressions for the stress-energy tensor Tμν, angular momentum J(t), and boosts K(t) for a real free scalar field, and evaluating their commutators with the field φ(x,t) at equal times.

Uploaded by

German Chiappe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics 615 Fall, 2013

Homework #3 Due: Sept. 27 at 3:00 P.M.


1) In lecture we defined the Pauli-Lubanski vector
1
W µ = ǫµνρσ Pν Lρσ ,
2
built of the generators of the Poincaré group. Show that
(a) [W µ , Pν ] = 0,
find [W µ , Lνρ ], and then show W 2 is a Casimir operator of the Poincaré
group, that is
(b) [W µ Wµ , Pν ] = 0,
(c) [W µ Wµ , Lαβ ] = 0.
Also show, if you haven’t already, that P 2 is also a Casimir operator of the
group.
It may be useful to examine whether your evaluation of [Lαβ , W µ ] is what
you would expect for a general vector, [Lαβ , V µ ], and also to show that the
vector properties implied by the indices do transform correctly under com-
mutator with Lαβ . That is, V µ Fµ should commute, and the c-numbers gµν
and ǫµνρσ , which of course do commute with all operators, should commute
with Lorentz transformations despite having Lorentz indices.
2) Consider a single real free scalar field with the Klein-Gordon Lagrangian.

(a) Find the expression for T µν in terms of φ, π, and ∇φ. From this
plugged into Mµνρ , find
~
(b) J(t)
~
(c) K(t)
as integrals over products of φ(~x) and π(~x). [Recall J~ = (L23 , L31 , L12 ) and
~ = (L01 , L02 , L03 ).] From these results, find the values of
K
(d) [P µ (t), φ(~x, t)],
~
(e) [J(t), φ(~x, t)]
~
(f) [K(t), φ(~x, t)]
at equal times, in terms of φ(~x) and its derivatives.

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