Mestrado em Eng.

Fı́sica Tecnológica (MEFT)

Teoria Quântica dos Campos
1st semester, 2nd period 2024-25

Prof. João Paulo Silva

Problem Set 6
QED cross-sections
August 19, 2024

1. Consider the process

e− (p1 , s1 ) + e+ (p2 , s2 ) → µ− (p3 , s3 ) + µ+ (p4 , s4 ) , (1)
in the exclusive presence of electromagnetic interactions. Whenever obvious, we might drop the explicit
dependence of spinors on spin.
a) Draw the corresponding Feynman diagram(s).
b) The unpolarized squared amplitude may be written as
e4 µν 0 muon
|M|2 = L L , (2)
4q 4 el µν
where q = p1 + p2 , and
Lµν
X
el = v(p2 )γ µ u(p1 ) u(p1 )γ ν v(p2 ) . (3)
s1 s2
0
Identify the similar expression for Lµνmuon .
c) Show that
n o
µ ν
 µ ν µ ν µν

Tr (p /b + mb )γ = 4 pa pb + pb pa + (ma mb − pa .pb )g
/a + ma )γ (p . (4)

Conclude that
q4
|M|2 = (p2 .p3 )(p1 .p4 ) + (p1 .p3 )(p2 .p4 ) + (p1 .p2 )m2µ + (p3 .p4 )m2e + 2m2e m2µ . (5)
8e4
Consider the kinematics in the CM frame, taking me = 0 and
q
pmuon E 2 − m2µ
β= = . (6)
Emuon E
d) Convince yourself that, without loss of generality, one can write
√ √
s s
p1 = (1, 0, 0, 1) , p2 = (1, 0, 0, −1) , (7)
2 2
√ √
s s
p3 = (1, β sθ , 0, β cθ ) , p4 = (1, −β sθ , 0, −β cθ ) , (8)
2 2
where, as usual, sθ = sin θ and cθ = cos θ. Show that
|~
p3 CM |
=β. (9)
|~
p1 CM |
 e) Using

dσ 1 |~
p3 CM |
= 2
|M|2 , (10)
dΩ CM 64π s |~
p1 CM |

calculate the differential cross section in terms of α, β, s, and θ.

f ) Show that, in the ultra relativistic limit (s  m2µ , m2e ), one obtains

dσ α2
1 + cos2 θ .


= (11)
dΩ 4s
Calculate σ both with finite and with vanishing mµ .

g) We wish to guess as much of (11) as we can, without any calculations.

• explain the proportionality to α2 ∼ e4 , based on the Feynman diagram(s);

• explain the s dependence, based on dimensional analysis;
• explain the 1 + cos2 θ dependence, based on the correspondence between helicity and chirality
in the ultra relativistic limit and simple quantum mechanics. Recall that ψγ µ ψ = ψ L γ µ ψL +
ψ R γ µ ψR .

h) Read Section 6.2.4 of Modern Particle Physics by Mark Thomson, CUP (2013).

2∗ . We wish to reconsider e− e+ → µ− µ+ in the ultra relativistic limit (mµ , me → 0) using the solutions
found in Problem Set 2b for spinors of definite helicity in the Pauli-Dirac representation.

a) Show that the correct correspondence is:

p~3 = p~(θ, 0) , p~4 = p~(π − θ, π) . (12)

Using it in the relevant expressions of Problem Set 2b, show that the various muon spinors are

c s
       
c −s
 s   −c 
       
√  s  √  c  √ √
u0↑ (p3 ) = E   , u0↓ (p3 ) = E  , v↑0 (p4 ) = E  , v↓0 (p4 ) = E  ,
       
 c   s   −c   s 
       
s −c −s −c

(13)

where c = cos (θ/2) and s = sin (θ/2).

b) Define
ν
Jmuon = u0 (p3 )γ ν v 0 (p4 ) . (14)

In the Pauli-Dirac representation,

0
Jmuon = u0 † (p3 )v 0 (p4 ) , k
Jmuon = u0 † (p3 ) αk v 0 (p4 ) , (15)

where
0 σk
 
k
α = . (16)
σk 0
 Show that, in an obvious notation,

Ju3 v4 (↑, ↑) = 0 = Ju3 v4 (↓, ↓) ,

√
Ju3 v4 (↑, ↓) = s (0, − cos θ, i, sin θ) ,
√
Ju3 v4 (↓, ↑) = s (0, − cos θ, −i, sin θ) . (17)

c) Redo items a) and b) for the incoming electron and positron.

d) Use the Feynman diagram(s) to show that
e2
M(s1 s2 , s3 s4 ) = v(p2 , s2 )γ µ u(p1 , s1 ) u0 (p3 , s3 )γµ v 0 (p4 , s4 ) , (18)
s
where (s1 s2 , s3 s4 ) are the helicities of, respectively, e− , e+ , µ− , and µ+ . Show that

M(↓ ↑, ↓ ↑) = M(↑ ↓, ↑ ↓) = −4πα(1 + cos θ) ,

M(↓ ↑, ↑ ↓) = M(↑ ↓, ↓ ↑) = 4πα(1 − cos θ) , (19)

while the amplitudes for all other possible helicity combinations vanish. Explain this result in terms
of the chirality/helicity properties of the vector interaction in the limit of zero fermion masses.
e) Conclude that
|M|2 = (4πα)2 (1 + cos2 θ) . (20)
Compare with what you found in problem 1.

3. Consider Compton scattering:

e− (p, s) + γ(k, µ (k, λ)) → e− (p0 , s0 ) + γ(k 0 , 0ν (k 0 , λ0 )) . (21)
Whenever obvious, we might drop the explicit dependence of spinors on spin and/or of polarizations
vectors on momenta or λ.

a) Draw the two Feynman diagrams and discuss their relative sign.
b) Use the Feynman rules to write
iMα = u(p0 , s0 ) Γα u(p, s) (α = 1, 2) , (22)
where
/ + k/ + m
p
Γ1 = 0ν∗ (ieγ ν ) i (ieγ µ )µ ,
(p + k)2 − m2
0
/ − k/ + m
p
Γ2 µ
= µ (ieγ ) i (ieγ ν )0ν∗ . (23)
(p − k 0 )2 − m2
Use crossing symmetry to explain the relation between the two results.
c) Writing
M ≡ M1 + M2 = µ (k)0ν∗ (k 0 )T µν , (24)
identify T µν and show that
kµ T µν = 0 . (25)
What is the physical origin of this result?
 d) Repeat for

kν0 T µν = 0 . (26)

e) Show in detail by summing over all photon polarizations that

∗
|M|2 ∝ T µν Tµν , (27)

where |M|2 is the unpolarized magnitude squared.

f ) Use FeynCalc to show that

1  0
|M1 |2 = Tr (p / + m)Γ1 (p
/ + m)Γ1
4
8e4  4
2m + m2 (−p.p0 − p0 .k + 2p.k) + (p.k)(p0 .k) ,

= 2
(28)
(2p.k)
8e4  4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

|M2 |2 = 2m + m (−p.p + p .k − 2p.k ) + (p.k )(p .k ) , (29)
(2p.k 0 )2

where, as usual, Γα = γ 0 Γ†α γ 0 . Could one have guessed (29) from (28)? Explain.

g) Show that
 0
M1 M∗2 = Tr (p
/ + m)Γ1 (p
/ + m)Γ2 , (30)

and use FeynCalc to conclude that the interference is

(k.p)(k 0 .p)
M1 M∗2 + M∗1 M2 =
2e4
2(k.p)(p.p0 ) − 2(k.k 0 )(p.p0 ) − 2(p.p0 )(p.k 0 )
+m2 (−2k.p − k.p0 + k.k 0 − p.p0 + 2p.k 0 + p0 .k 0 ) − m4 . (31)

4. Consider the kinematics of Compton scattering in the Lab frame, where the initial electron is at rest
and the outgoing photon’s direction makes an angle θ with the incoming photon’s direction.

a) Convince yourself that, without loss of generality, one can write

p = (m, ~0) , p0 = (E 0 , p~0 ) , (32)

k = (k, 0, 0, k) , k 0 = (k 0 , k 0 sin θ, 0, k 0 cos θ) , (33)

where ~k = p~0 + ~k 0 . Notice the two different uses of k: as the 4-vector, and as the magnitude of the
3-vector (ditto for k 0 ). The exact meaning is always clear from the context.

b) Use conservation of 4-momentum to show that

k
k0 = k
. (34)
1+ m (1 − cos θ)

How does this relate with the usual Compton formula for the shift in wavelength
h
λ0 − λ = (1 − cos θ) ? (35)
mc
 c) Use this kinematics and the results of the previous problem, to show that
k0
 
2 4 k 2
|M| = 2e + − sin θ . (36)
k0 k
Suggestion: You may wish to continue using FeynCalc, performing the difference between your
earlier expression (with the relevant substitutions) and the result announced here.

The Lorentz invariant expression for the differential cross-section in 2 → 2 scattering is

1 2 (2π)4 δ 4 (p + p − p − p )
d3 p3 d3 p4
dσ = p |M| 1 2 3 4 . (37)
4 (p1 .p2 )2 − m21 m22 (2π)3 2p03 (2π)3 2p04

d) Adapt (37) to this problem and use three delta functions to take out the unknown final electron
3-momentum p~0 . You should reach
dσ 1 1
Z 02
0 k
= dk δ(m + k − E 0 − k 0 )|M|2 , (38)
dΩk0 4mk (2π)2 2k 0 2E 0

where it is implicit that in |M|2 the substitution ~k = p~0 + ~k 0 will be made.

e) Express E 0 in terms of k = |~k|, k 0 = |~k 0 | and θ, and define
f (k 0 ) = m + k − E 0 − k 0 . (39)
Show that f (k 0 ) = 0 yields (34). In addition, using
X δ(x − xi )
δ (f (x)) = sum over xi such that f (xi ) = 0 , (40)
xi df
dx x=x
i

show that
!
0 E 0 k0
0 k
δ(m + k − E − k ) = δ k0 − k
. (41)
mk 1+ m (1 − cos θ)

f ) Combine all results to achieve the Klein-Nishina formula for Compton scattering
 0 2  0
α2

dσ k k k 2
= + 0 − sin θ . (42)
dΩk0 2m2 k k k
This formula is deceptively simple, since it uses (34) in an optimal fashion.

5∗ . We wish to reconsider e− e+ → µ− µ+ with the so-called helicity amplitude technique. This Problem
presupposes reading Section 6 of Romão and Silva’s textbook. In the notation of Kleiss, we use for the
massless spinors
u+ = uR = u↑ , u− = uL = u↓ , (43)
u+ ← vR = v↓ , u − ← vL = v↑ . (44)
In this notation, there is no distinction between u and v for the definition of chirality. Using
1 ± γ5
γ± = , (45)
2
one has
γ+ u+ (p) = u+ (p) , γ− u+ (p) = 0 , (46)
γ+ u− (p) = 0 , γ− u− (p) = u− (p) . (47)
 a) Using the completeness relation for spinors, show that
u+ (p) u+ (p) + u− (p) u− (p) = p
/, (48)
and conclude that

u+ (p) u+ (p) = γ+ p
/,
u− (p) u− (p) = γ− p
/. (49)

b) Recalling that u+ = (γ+ u) = u γ− , show that

u+ (p1 ) u+ (p2 ) = 0 ,
u− (p1 ) u− (p2 ) = 0 . (50)

c) Using γ+ γµ = γµ γ− , show that

uσ (p1 ) γ1 · · · γ2n uσ (p2 ) = 0 ,

uσ (p1 ) γ1 · · · γ2n+1 u−σ (p2 ) = 0 , (51)

where σ can take the values + or −, and we have suppressed the Lorentz index of the gamma
matrices.

Thus, for an even number of gamma matrices, the only nonzero entries correspond to u and u of opposite
chirality. Similarly, for an odd number of gamma matrices, the only nonzero entries correspond to u and
u having the same chirality. The only non-vanishing combinations without intermediate gamma matrices
are
[12] = s(p1 , p2 ) = u+ (p1 ) u− (p2 ) ≡ s12 ,
h12i = t(p1 , p2 ) = u− (p1 ) u+ (p2 ) = s∗ (p2 , p1 ) ≡ s∗21 , (52)
and we use the normalization
|s(p1 , p2 )|2 = 2p1 .p2 . (53)
Most important for calculations is
uσ (p1 )γµ uσ (p2 ) γ µ = 2 uσ (p2 ) uσ (p1 ) + 2 u−σ (p1 ) u−σ (p2 ) , (54)
known as the Chisholm identity.

d) Use (54) to show that

∗ uσ (p)γµ uσ (p) = 2pµ ; (55)

∗
∗ u+ (p1 )p
/2 p
/3 u− (p4 ) = s(p1 , p2 )s (p3 , p2 )s(p3 , p4 ) , (assuming that p2k = 0) ; (56)

∗ u+ (p1 )γµ u+ (p2 ) u+ (p3 )γ µ u+ (p4 ) = 2s(p3 , p1 )s∗ (p4 , p2 ) ≡ 2s31 s∗42 . (57)

Consider e− (p1 ) + e+ (p2 ) → µ− (p3 ) + µ+ (p4 ) mediated by a photon, in the ultra relativistic limit. The
amplitude is
s
M(σ1 σ2 ; σ3 σ4 ) = v(p2 )γµ u(p1 ) u(p3 )γ µ v(p4 )
e2
≡ uσ2 (p2 )γµ uσ1 (p1 ) uσ3 (p3 )γ µ uσ4 (p4 ) , (58)
where s is the square of the CM energy.
e) Show explicitly that there are only four non-vanishing M(σ1 σ2 ; σ3 σ4 ) combinations, and identify
them. Interpret those chiralities in light of the vectorial (γ µ ) nature of the photon interaction with
fermions.

f ) Show that

s
M(++; ++) = 2s32 s∗41 ,
e2
s
M(−−; −−) = 2s∗23 s14 ,
e2
s
M(++; −−) = 2s∗13 s24 ,
e2
s
M(−−; ++) = 2s31 s∗42 . (59)
e2

g) Prove that

|s23 |2 = −u = t + s = |s41 |2 ,
|s12 |2 = s = |s34 |2 ,
|s13 |2 = −t = |s24 |2 , (60)

and use the result to obtain

t2 + u2
|M|2 = 2e4 . (61)
s2
Compare with what you obtained in Problem 1.