5.

Feynman Diagrams
Particle and Nuclear Physics

Prof. Tina Potter

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 1

In this section...
Introduction to Feynman diagrams.
Anatomy of Feynman diagrams.
Allowed vertices.
General rules

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 2

 Feynman Diagrams

The results of calculations based on a single process in

Time-Ordered Perturbation Theory (sometimes called
old-fashioned, OFPT) depend on the reference frame.
Richard Feynman
1965 Nobel Prize
The sum of all time orderings is frame independent and provides the basis for
our relativistic theory of Quantum Mechanics.
A Feynman diagram represents the sum of all time orderings

+ =
time time time
−−→ −−→ −−→
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 3
 Feynman Diagrams
Each Feynman diagram represents a term in the perturbation theory expansion
of the matrix element for an interaction.
Normally, a full matrix element contains an infinite number of Feynman
diagrams.
Total amplitude Mfi = M1 + M2 + M3 + ...
Total rate Γfi = 2π|M1 + M2 + M3 + ...|2ρ(E ) Fermi’s Golden Rule
But each vertex gives a factor of g , so if g is small (i.e. the perturbation is
small) only need the first few. (Lowest order = fewest vertices possible)

g2 g4 g6
√ e2 1
Example: QED g =e= 4πα ∼ 0.30, α= 4π ∼ 137
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 4
 Feynman Diagrams
Perturbation Theory
Calculating Matrix Elements from Perturbation Theory from first principles is
cumbersome – so we don’t usually use it.
Need to do time-ordered sums of (on mass shell) particles whose
production and decay does not conserve energy and momentum.

Feynman Diagrams
Represent the maths of Perturbation Theory with Feynman Diagrams in a very
simple way (to arbitrary order, if couplings are small enough). Use them to
calculate matrix elements.
Approx size of matrix element may be estimated from the simplest valid
Feynman Diagram for given process.
Full matrix element requires infinite number of diagrams.
Now only need one exchanged particle, but it is now off mass shell,
however production/decay now conserves energy and momentum.
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 5
 Anatomy of Feynman Diagrams
Feynman devised a pictorial method for evaluating matrix elements for the
interactions between fundamental particles in a few simple rules. We shall use
Feynman diagrams extensively throughout this course.
Topological features of Feynman diagrams are straightforwardly associated
with terms in the Matrix element
Represent particles (and antiparticles):
Spin 1/2 Quarks and Leptons

Spin 1 γ, W ±, Z

And each interaction point (vertex) with a •

Each vertex contributes a factor of the coupling constant, g .
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 6
 Anatomy of Feynman Diagrams
External lines (visible real particles)
Spin 1/2 Particle Incoming
Outgoing
Antiparticle Incoming
Outgoing

Spin 1 Particle Incoming

Outgoing

Internal lines (propagators; virtual particles)

Spin 1/2 Particle/antiparticle Each propagator
gives a factor of
Spin 1 γ, W ±, Z 1
g q 2−m2

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 7

 Vertices
A vertex represents a point of interaction: either EM, weak or strong.
The strength of the interaction is denoted by g
√
EM interaction: g = Qe (sometimes denoted as Q α, where α = e 2/4π)
Weak interaction: g = gW
√
Strong interaction: g = αs
A vertex will have three (in rare cases four) lines attached, e.g.
e− γ e − e+

γ Qe e− Qe Qe γ
Qe e−

e+ e− γ e−

At each vertex, conserve energy, momentum, angular momentum, charge,

lepton number (Le = +1 for e −, νe , = −1 for e +, ν̄e , similar for Lµ, Lτ ),
baryon number (B = 31 (nq − nq̄ )),
strangeness (S = −(ns − ns̄ )) & parity – except in weak interactions.
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 8
Allowed Vertices EM
must involve a photon γ, and charged particles
coupling strength Qe Q=charge
e− µ− τ−

γ γ γ

e+ µ+ τ+
u c t

γ γ γ

ū c̄ t̄
Triple Gauge Vertex
d s b
W−

γ γ γ
γ

d¯ s̄ b̄ W+

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 9

 Allowed Vertices Weak
must involve a gauge vector boson Z or W ±
coupling strength gW
tip: if you see a ν or ν̄, it must be a weak interaction
with W ± − −
e µ −
τ

W− W− W−

ν̄e ν̄µ ν̄τ

d s b
⇒ Same family quarks are
W− W− W− Cabibbo favoured
ū c̄ t̄

s d b s
⇒ Cross one family
W− W− W− W− Cabibbo suppressed
ū c̄ c̄ t̄

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 10

 Allowed Vertices Weak
must involve a gauge vector boson Z or W ±
coupling strength gW
tip: if you see a ν or ν̄, it must be a weak interaction
with W ±
b d
⇒ Cross two families
W− W− Doubly Cabibbo suppressed
ū t̄ W− W−

Also, Triple/Four Gauge Vertex Z γ

W+ W+
Z W+ Z W+ γ W+
W+ W+

W− W− Z W− γ W− γ W−

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 11

 Allowed Vertices Weak
with Z Same as γ diagrams, but also vertices with ν
e− µ− τ−

Z Z Z i.e.
f
e+ µ+ τ+
νe νµ ντ Z

Z Z Z f¯

ν̄e ν̄µ ν̄τ

u c t Not Allowed:
Flavour Changing
Z Z Z
Neutral Currents (FCNC)
ū c̄ t̄ d
d s b
Z
Z Z Z
s̄
d¯ s̄ b̄
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 12
Allowed Vertices Strong
must involve a gluon g and/or quark q
√
coupling strength αs
conserve strangeness, charm etc
u c t

g g g

ū c̄ t̄
d s b

g g g
Also, Triple Gauge Vertex
g g
g
d¯ s̄ b̄

g g g
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 13
Forbidden Vertices

q γ Z

X γ Z

` γ Z
g g
g

g g g

γ Z W±

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 14

Examples
Electromagnetic Strong
e− e− q q
Qe
√ √
γ αs αs
g
Qe
p p q̄ q̄
2 √
(e) ( αs )2
M∼ 2 M∼
q q2

Weak
u u
d d 2
Vud gW Vud gW
d u M∼ 2
q − mW 2
ν̄e
W − gW
e−
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 15
 Drawing Feynman Diagrams
A Feynman diagram is a pictorial representation of the matrix element
describing particle decay or interaction
a → b + c + ... a+b →c +d
To draw a Feynman diagram and determine whether a process is allowed,
follow the five basic steps below:
1 Write down the initial and final state particles and antiparticles and note
the quark content of all hadrons.
2 Draw the simplest Feynman diagram using the Standard Model vertices.
Bearing in mind:
Similar diagrams for particles/antiparticles
Never have a vertex connecting a lepton to a quark
Only the weak CC vertex changes flavour
within generations for leptons
within/between generations for quarks
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 16
Drawing Feynman Diagrams Particle scattering
If all are particles (or all are antiparticles), only scattering diagrams
involved e.g. a + b → c + d
a c

Initial State Final State

b d
If particles and antiparticles, may be able to have scattering and/or
annihilation diagrams e.g. a + b → c + d (Mandelstam variables s, t, u)
a p1 p3 c a c
p1 p3

p2 p4
p2 p4 c
b b d
“t-channel”, “s-channel”,
q 2 = t = (p1 − p3)2 = (p2 − p4)2 q 2 = s = (p1 + p2)2 = (p3 + p4)2
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 17
 Drawing Feynman Diagrams Identical Particles

If we have identical particles in final state, e.g. a + b → c + c

may not know which particle comes from which vertex.
Two possibilities are separate final Feynman diagrams:

a p1 c
a p1 p3 c
p3
p4

p2 p4 b p2 c
b c
“u-channel”,
“t-channel”,
q 2 = u = (p1 − p4)2 = (p2 − p3)2
q 2 = t = (p1 − p3)2 = (p2 − p4)2
Crossing not a vertex

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 18

 Drawing Feynman Diagrams
Being able to draw a Feynman diagram is a necessary, but not a sufficient
condition for the process to occur. Also need to check:
3 Check that the whole system conserves
Energy, momentum (trivially satisfied for interactions, so long as
sufficient KE in initial state. May forbid decays)
Charge
Angular momentum
4 Parity
Conserved in EM/Strong interaction
Can be violated in the Weak interaction
5 Check symmetry for identical particles in the final state
Bosons ψ(1, 2) = +ψ(2, 1)
Fermions ψ(1, 2) = −ψ(2, 1)
Finally, a process will occur via the Strong, EM and Weak interaction (in that
order of preference) if steps 1 – 5 are satisfied.
Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 19
 Summary

Feynman diagrams are a core part of the course.

Make sure you can draw them!
Feynman diagrams are a sum over time orderings.
Associate topological features of the diagrams with terms in matrix
elements.
Vertices ↔ coupling strength between particles and field quanta
Propagator for each internal line (off-mass shell, virtual particles)
Conservation of quantum numbers at each vertex

Up next...
Section 6: QED

Prof. Tina Potter 5. Feynman Diagrams 20