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Quantum Field Theory (2022-23) Toby Wiseman

(i) The document provides problems related to quantum field theory and deriving Greens functions and propagators. It asks the student to show various properties of the retarded Greens function for the Klein-Gordon field, including that its time derivative has a delta function at t=0. (ii) It also asks the student to write the retarded Greens function using a contour integral over four-momentum and to show the Feynman propagator can be written similarly using a Feynman contour that passes above the poles in the complex plane. (iii) Finally, it asks the student to confirm that the Feynman propagator obeys the Greens function equation and has an i delta function on the right

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28 views4 pages

Quantum Field Theory (2022-23) Toby Wiseman

(i) The document provides problems related to quantum field theory and deriving Greens functions and propagators. It asks the student to show various properties of the retarded Greens function for the Klein-Gordon field, including that its time derivative has a delta function at t=0. (ii) It also asks the student to write the retarded Greens function using a contour integral over four-momentum and to show the Feynman propagator can be written similarly using a Feynman contour that passes above the poles in the complex plane. (iii) Finally, it asks the student to confirm that the Feynman propagator obeys the Greens function equation and has an i delta function on the right

Uploaded by

hana
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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Quantum Field Theory (2022-23) Toby Wiseman

Week 4: Problems for Rapid Feedback on 11th Nov

1
Qu. 1
We derive the retarded Greens function for the real Klein-Gordon scalar field.

(i) A Greens function for F 00 (t) + a(t)F 0 (t) + b(t)F (t) = ρ(t) obeys,

f 00 (t) + a(t)f 0 (t) + b(t)f (t) = δ(t)

where a(t) and b(t) are smooth functions. It is constructed by joining


two homogeneous solutions, F± (t) (ie. solutions to the above equation
with ρ = 0) as,

F+ (t) t > 0
f (t) =
F− (t) t < 0

While the Greens function is continuous at t = 0, so F+ (0) = F− (0) its


first derivative is not. Show that it obeys;

F+0 (0) − F−0 (0) = +1

(ii) Consider the solution to the Greens function equation for the real Klein-
Gordon field;

 + m2 G(x) = δ (4) (x) = δ(t) δ (3) (~x)


 

The same logic as above shows that G(x) may be constructed by joining
two homogeneous solutions; G+ (x) for t > 0 and G− (x) for t < 0, so
( + m2 )G± = 0. These join continuously and have a jump in their
time derivative at t = 0 equal to;

(∂t G+ (x) − ∂t G− (x))|t=0 = δ (3) (~x)

For the retarded Greens function we want G− (x) = 0. Show that,

d3 p~
Z
−iE(~ p·~
p)t+i~ x +iE(~ p·~
p)t−i~ x

G+ (x) = i e − e
(2π)3 2E(~p)

2
Qu. 2
Contours for Greens functions;

(i) Recall in the task after lecture 10b you showed;

d3 p~ d4 p
Z Z
−ipµ xµ i µ
D(x) ≡ e = e−ipµ x
C + (2π) p − m
3
(2π) 2E(~p) 4 2 2

where C + is a small circle in the complex p0 plane, radius  E(~p) cir-


culating p0 = E(~p) clockwise. Note in the first integral pµ = (E(~p), p~),
whereas in the second all the components of pµ are integrated over.

Similarly confirm that,

d4 p
Z
i µ
D(−x) = − e−ipµ x
C− (2π) p − m
4 2 2

where C − now is a small circle in the complex p0 plane, radius  E(~p)


circulating p0 = −E(~p) also in a clockwise sense.

(ii) Use these results to show that the retarded Greens function from the
previous question may be written as;

d4 p
Z
1 µ
GR (x) = − e−ipµ x
CR (2π) p − m
4 2 2

where the integration contour CR goes from p0 : −∞ → ∞, passing


above the points p0 = ±E(~p) in the complex p0 plane.
p0

CR
E(~
p) +E(~
p)

t<0

3 p0 p0
t>0

CR CR
E(~
p) +E(~
p) E(~
p) +E(~
p)
(iii) The Feynman propagator that arises later from time ordered correlators
in QFT is the Greens function;

D(x) x0 ≥ 0
DF (x) =
D(−x) x0 < 0

and we note D(−x) = D(x)? .


Show we may write this as;

d4 p
Z
i µ
DF (x) = e−ipµ x
CF (2π) p − m
4 2 2

for CF the Feynman contour;


p0

E(~
p) CF
+E(~
p)

Confirm that this obeys the Greens function equation;


t<0
 + m2 DF (x) = −iδ(x)

0
p p0
t>0

E(~
p) CF E(~
p) CF
+E(~
p) +E(~
p)

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