Assignment I

PH 544: High Energy Physics

Sub-topic: Review of QFT basics
Instructor: Debasish Borah, IIT Guwahati

1. The Lagrangian density of an electromagnetic field with a source current density J µ

is given by
1
L = − F µν Fµν − Jµ Aµ , Fµν = ∂µ Aν − ∂ν Aµ
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Find the Euler-Lagrange equations and show that they give rise to the inhomogeneous
Maxwell’s equations.

2. Find the Hamiltonian for a complex scalar field with Lagrangian density L =
(∂µ ϕ)† (∂ µ ϕ) − m2 ϕ† ϕ − V (ϕ† , ϕ). Compute the Heisenberg equation of motion for
ϕ and show that it is the Klein-Gordon equation.

3. Find the stress-energy tensor for (i) real scalar, (ii) complex scalar, (iii) electromagnetic
field with no source.

4. The Lagrangian for a complex scalar field is invariant under a phase transformation
ϕ → e−iqθ ϕ. Find the corresponding conserved current and show that ∂µ j µ = 0.

5. For a real scalar field, find the four-momentum operator in terms of creation and
annihilation operators and show that [ϕ, Pµ ] = i∂µ ϕ.

6. Show that if ϕ(x) satisfies the Klein-Gordon equation, then ϕ(Λ−1 x) will also satisfy
it for any Lorentz transformation Λ.

7. A Lorentz transformation xµ → x′µ = Λµν xν is such that it preserves the Minkowski

metric: ηµν xµ xν = ηµν x′µ x′ν for all x. Show that it implies ηµν = ηστ Λσµ Λτν . Use this
result to show that an inifinitesimal Lorentz transformation of the form Λµν = δνµ + ωνµ
implies antisymmetric ω µν .

8. Using the fields in terms of creation, annihilation operators, verify that the Hamilto-
nian for a real scalar field can be written as
d3 p
Z  
† 1 †
H= ωp⃗ ap⃗ ap⃗ + [ap⃗ , ap⃗ ]
(2π)3 2

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 d3 p †
R
9. The number operator is defined as N = a⃗ ap⃗ .
(2π)3 p
Show that

[N, ap†⃗ ] = ap†⃗ , [N, ap⃗ ] = −ap⃗

10. Show that

eiHt ap⃗ e−iHt = ap⃗ e−iEp⃗ t , eiHt ap†⃗ e−iHt = ap†⃗ eiEp⃗ t

11. Using the definitions of gamma matrices in chiral representation and using the defini-
tion S µν = 41 [γ µ , γ ν ], prove the following
(i) S µν = 21 γ µ γ ν − 21 η µν , (ii) [S µν , γ ρ ] = γ µ η νρ − γ ν η ρµ
(iii) [S µν , S ρσ ] = S µσ η νρ − S νσ η ρµ + S ρµ η νσ − S ρν η σµ , (iv) γµ γ µ = 4
(v) γµ γν γ µ = −2γν , (vi) γα γµ γν γ α = 4ηµν , (vii) γα γµ γν γβ γ α = −2γβ γν γµ .

12. Verify the Lorentz covariance of the Dirac equation.

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13. Check if the transformations (i) ψ(x) → eiα ψ(x), (ii) ψ(x) → eiαγ ψ(x) are symmetries
of the Dirac Lagrangian. Find the corresponding Noether’s currents.

14. Verify the Lorentz invariance of the projection operator P± = 12 (1 ± γ 5 ).

15. Prove that the Dirac bilinear ψ(x)γ µ ψ(x) transforms as a Lorentz four-vector.

16. The tensor bilinear is denoted as ψ(x)S µν ψ(x) where S µν is anti-symmetric. What
about the symmetric tensor bilinear? Does it exist as an independent bilinear?

17. Using the definition of helicity operator, verify if it is Lorentz invariant.

18. For ψ(x) = u(⃗p)e−ip.x , v(⃗p)eip.x as plane wave solutions of the Dirac equation, prove
that
√ p √ p
u(⃗p) = ( p.σξ, p.σξ)T , v(⃗p) = ( p.ση, − p.ση)T

with ξ, η being normalised 2-spinors.

19. Prove the spin-sum results

X X
us (⃗p)us (⃗p) = p/ + m, v s (⃗p)v s (⃗p) = p/ − m
s s

20. Prove the Gordon identity

1 i
u(p⃗′ )γ µ u(⃗p) = u(p⃗′ )[(p + p′ )µ + iσ µν qν ]u(⃗p), q = p′ − p, σ µν = [γ µ , γ ν ]
2m 2

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21. Using the Dirac Lagrangian L = ψ(i∂/ − m)ψ, find the Euler-Lagrange equations
corresponding to ψ, ψ. Are they two independent equations? Justify.

22. Using the Clifford algebra {γ µ , γ ν } = 2η µν (without using any particular representation
of γ matrices) and the definition γ 5 = iγ 0 γ 1 γ 2 γ 3 , S µν = 14 [γ µ , γ ν ], prove the following.
(i) Trγ µ = 0, (ii) Tr(γ µ γ ν ) = 4η µν , (iii) Tr(γ µ γ ν γ ρ ) = 0, (iv) (γ 5 )2 = 1,
(v) Trγ 5 = 0, (vi) p//q = 2p.q − /qp/ = p.q + 2S µν pµ qν , (vii) Tr(p//q) = 4p.q,
(viii) Tr(p/1 p/2 · · · p/n ) = 0 if n is odd, (ix) Tr(γ 5 p/1 p/2 ) = 0,
(x) Tr(p/1 p/2 p/3 p/4 ) = 4[(p1 .p2 )(p3 .p4 ) + (p1 .p4 )(p2 .p3 ) − (p1 .p3 )(p2 .p4 )], (xi) γµ p/γ µ = −2p/,
(xii) γµ p/1 p/2 γ µ = 4p1 .p2 , (xiii) γµ p/1 p/2 p/3 γ µ = −2p/3 p/2 p/1
(xiv) Tr(γ 5 p/1 p/2 p/3 p/4 ) = 4iϵµνρσ pµ1 pν2 pρ3 pσ4 .

23. The Weyl or chiral representation of the Clifford algebra is

   
i
0 1 0 σ
γ0 =   , γi =  .
1 0 −σ i 0

Find a unitary matrix U such that (γ ′ )µ = U γ µ U † , where (γ ′ )µ form the Dirac repre-
sentation of the Clifford algebra
   
i
1 0 0 σ
(γ ′ )0 =   , (γ ′ )i =  .
0 −1 −σ i 0

24. Using {apr⃗ , as† r s†

q⃗ } = {bp
3 (3)
⃗ , bq⃗ } = (2π) δ (⃗ p − ⃗q)δ rs , prove that

{ψa (⃗x), ψb† (⃗y } = δ (3) (⃗x − ⃗y )δab , {ψa (⃗x), ψb (⃗y } = {ψa† (⃗x), ψb† (⃗y } = 0

25. Prove that the momentum operator for Dirac field is given by
X Z d3 p
⃗
P = p⃗(aps† s s† s
3 ⃗ ap
⃗ + bp
⃗ bp
⃗)
s
(2π)

26. Considering the global U (1) symmetry of the Dirac Lagrangian, find the operator
corresponding to the conserved charge. Show that the conserved charge is given by
number of particles minus the number of antiparticles.

27. Show that particle and anti-particles have opposite helicities. This means right-handed
particle (anti-particle) has positive (negative) helicity. Denoting the spinors for posi-
tive helicity particle, negative helicity particle, positive helicity anti-particle, negative

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 helicity anti-particle as u1 , u2 , v1 , v2 respectively, show that (in massless limit)
       
0 0 0 0
       
p 0 p 1 p 1 p 0
u1 (p) = 2Ep⃗   , u2 (p) = 2Ep⃗   , v1 (p) = 2Ep⃗   , v2 (p) = − 2Ep⃗  
       
1 0 0 1
       
0 0 0 0

28. Time reversal operator (T ) is defined as (t, ⃗x) →

T (−t, ⃗x). Prove that T is an anti-
−
unitary operator meaning T −1 c1 T = c∗1 , where c1 is a number. Considering the action
of T on a fermion field to be T ψ(t, ⃗x)T = (γ 1 γ 3 )ψ(−t, ⃗x), find the transformation
properties of Dirac bilinears ψψ, ψγ 5 ψ, ψγ µ ψ, ψγ µ γ 5 ψ, ψσ µν ψ under C, P, T transfor-
mations.

29. Constructing a Majorana spinor out of a Weyl spinor as ψ(x) = (ψL (x), iσ 2 ψL∗ (x))T =
(ψL (x), ψLC )T , show that the Lagrangian for Majorana fermion can be written as
1 1
LMajorana = (ψi∂/ψ − (ψLc mL ψL + ψL mL ψLc )
2 2
From the above Lagrangian, show that the equation of motion is

iσ µ ∂µ ψL − mL iσ 2 ψL∗ = 0 =⇒ (i∂/ − mL )ψ(x) = 0

(Hint: See arxiv:1006.1718 by Palash B. Pal for Dirac, Weyl and Majorana fermions.
Majorana fermion is also discussed in the QFT for gifted amateur by L & B)

30. In QFT, the Lagrangian is CPT invariant. Discuss one hypothetical scenario which
violates CPT.

31. Find the mass dimensions of Lagrangian density L, Dirac field ψ, scalar field ϕ, vector
field Aµ . Write down all possible Lorentz invariant interaction terms in L involving
Dirac field ψ, complex scalar field ϕ (including self interactions) with coefficients having
positive, zero and negative mass dimensions (upto -6).

λn ϕn , yn (ψψ)n , find the mass dimensions

P P
32. If an interaction term is written as n n

of λn , yn .

33. Starting with the general formula for decay width for 1 → n (n ≥ 2) process, show
that the decay width for ϕ → e+ e− by virtue of Yukawa type interaction of electron

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 with a scalar is given by

1 √ me
Γ(ϕ → e+ e− ) = 1 − 4x2 |M|2 , x =
16πmϕ mϕ

Evaluate this decay width for the following cases:

• ϕ is a scalar with interaction gs ϕψψ.

• ϕ is a pseudo-scalar with interaction igp ϕψγ5 ψ.

• ϕ is a vector with interaction gv ϕµ ψγ µ ψ.

• ϕ is an axial vector with interaction ga ϕµ ψγ µ γ5 ψ.

34. Draw all possible Feynman diagrams for ϕϕ → ϕϕ process upto the next to leading
order (NLO) considering the interaction Lagrangian to be LI = − 4!λ ϕ4 . Write down
the amplitude for the NLO diagram.

35. Starting with the general formula for 2 → n (n ≥ 2) scattering, show that the differ-
ential cross section for 2 → 2 scattering with pµi + pµA → pµf + pµB in the rest frame of
particle A can be written as
   −1
dσ 1 |⃗pi | |p⃗f |
= 2
EB + Ef 1 − cos θ |M|2
dΩ 64π mA |p⃗f | |⃗pi |
q
(p⃗f − p⃗i )2 + m2B , Ef = p⃗f 2 + m2f .
p
where θ is the angle between p⃗i and p⃗f , EB =
Here mx denotes the rest mass of particle species x.

36. Consider the four-Fermi interaction Lagrangian

GF
L = √ ψe γ α (1 − γ5 )ψνe ψνµ γα (1 − γ5 )ψµ
2
which can be used to describe low energy process like muon decay µ → e νe νµ . GF =
1.166 × 10−5 GeV−2 is the Fermi constant of mass dimension -2. Calculate the decay
width of muon by ignoring (i) masses of neutrinos, (ii) masses of both electron and
neutrinos. Which of these two results is closer to the observed value Γ−1 = 2.20 µs ?
(Use me = 0.511 MeV, mµ = 106 MeV)

37. Calculate the differential cross section for e− µ− → e− µ− from the results of e− e+ →
µ− µ+ using crossing symmetry. Convince yourself if you can use the same differential

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 cross-section for Rutherford’s scattering e− p+ → e− p+ . Show that the differential
cross-section in the lab frame in the limit E ≪ mp is given by
dσ e4 2 2


= 4 1 − v sin (θ/2)
dΩ 64π 2 v 2 p2 sin (θ/2)
known as the Mott formula, which for v ≪ 1, matches with the usual Rutherford’s
formula.

38. Show that the differential cross-section for Bhabha scattering (e+ e− → e+ e− in the
limit Ecm ≫ me is
2  2  2 
πα2 2 1 1
 
dσ t s
= u + + +
d cos θ s s t s t

39. A particle of mass M has a decay width Γ in its rest frame. What is its decay width
in a frame where its energy is E > M ?

40. Suppose a particle of mass m is moving in a certain frame with a speed v. It decays to
another particle of mass m′ , and a massless particle. Show that the differential decay
rate is given by
m − m′2
 2
(1 − v 2 )3/2

dΓ
= |M|2
dΩ 64π 2 m3 (1 − v cos θ)2
where θ is the angle between 3-momenta of the initial particle and the massless particle
in the final state.

41. (a) Show that the equations of motion for the electromagnetic field Aµ (x) in momentum
space are given by
(−k 2 η µν + k µ k ν )A
fµ (k) = 0

(b) Finding the photon propagator is equivalent to inverting the above equation. Show
that det(−k 2 η µν + k µ k ν ) = 0 implying the non-invertibility of the above equation.

(c) One way out is to add a gauge fixing term to the Lagrangian
1 1
L = − F µν Fµν − (∂µ Aµ )2
4 2ξ
ensuring that the Lorentz gauge condition ∂µ Aµ = 0 is satisfied (In fact, the equation
of motion for ξ gives the Lorentz gauge condition). Show that the equations of motion
for Aµ in momentum space are
1
(−k 2 η µν + k µ k ν − k µ k ν )A
fµ (k) = 0
ξ

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 (d) Show that the inverse of the operator in bracket on left hand side of the above
equation is  
1 kµ kν
Πµν =− 2 ηµν − (1 − ξ) 2
k k
Hint: one can do it by proving

1
(−k 2 η µν + k µ k ν − k µ k ν )Πνσ = δσµ
ξ

42. Consider a Proca field for which the free Lagrangian is

1 m2
L = − F µν Fµν + Aµ Aµ
4 2

Show that in this case, the propagator of the vector field can be calculated without
adding any gauge-fixing term, and it is given by
 
1 kµ kν
Πµν = 2 −ηµν +
k − m2 m2

m2i
P
43. Prove that s + t + u = i

44. Derive the generators of rotation and boost. Show that boost by itself does not form
a group whereas rotation does. Show that the Lorentz group is locally isomorphic to
SU (2) ⊗ SU (2).

45. Find the properties of charge conjugation operator in order to have a Lorentz covariant
definition of charge conjugation.

46. Under charge conjugation ψ → ψ c . Show that ψ c also obeys the Dirac equation.