Scribd
Upload
60 views

QFT Sheet 2

This document contains an example sheet for a course on Quantum Field Theory. It provides 7 practice problems: [1] calculating the conserved four-momentum operator for a real scalar field, [2] showing that the scalar field satisfies the Klein-Gordon equation, [3] relating scalar field states to plane waves, [4] writing the angular momentum operator for a real scalar field, [5] showing symmetry of time-ordered and normal-ordered products of the scalar field, [6] deriving Feynman rules from Wick's theorem for φ4 theory, and [7] calculating the amplitude for meson decay in a scalar Yukawa theory. Solutions to the problems are available from the instructor via email.

Uploaded by

Kervyn Xavier
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
60 views

QFT Sheet 2

This document contains an example sheet for a course on Quantum Field Theory. It provides 7 practice problems: [1] calculating the conserved four-momentum operator for a real scalar field, [2] showing that the scalar field satisfies the Klein-Gordon equation, [3] relating scalar field states to plane waves, [4] writing the angular momentum operator for a real scalar field, [5] showing symmetry of time-ordered and normal-ordered products of the scalar field, [6] deriving Feynman rules from Wick's theorem for φ4 theory, and [7] calculating the amplitude for meson decay in a scalar Yukawa theory. Solutions to the problems are available from the instructor via email.

Uploaded by

Kervyn Xavier
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Copies available at http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/examples/indexP3.

html

3P1b Quantum Field Theory: Example Sheet 2 Michaelmas 2022

Corrections and suggestions should be emailed to [email protected].

1. Consider a real scalar field with Lagrangian


1 1
L = ∂µ φ∂ µ φ − m2 φ2 . (1)
2 2
R
Show that, after normal ordering, the conserved four-momentum P µ = d3 x T 0µ
takes the operator form

d3 p µ †
Z
µ
P = p ap~ ap~ (2)
(2π)3

where p0 = Ep~ in this expression. From Eq. (2), verify that if φ(x) is now in the
Heisenberg picture, then

[P µ , φ(x)] = −i∂ µ φ(x).

2.∗ Show that in the Heisenberg picture,

φ̇(x) = i[H, φ(x)] = π(x) and π̇(x) = i[H, π(x)] = ∇2 φ(x) − m2 φ(x) .

Hence show that the operator φ(x) satisfies the Klein-Gordon equation.

3. Let φ(x) be a real scalarp


field in the Heisenberg picture. Show that the relativistically
normalised states |pi = 2Ep~ ap†~ |0i satisfy

h0| φ(x) |pi = e−ip·x .

4.∗ In Example Sheet 1, you showed that the classical angular momentum of a field is
given by
Z
1
Qi = ijk d3 x xj T 0k − xk T 0j .

2
Write down the explicit form of the angular momentum for a free real scalar field with
Lagrangian as in Eq.(1). Show that, after normal ordering, the quantum operator Qi
can be written as
d3 p † j ∂
Z  
i k ∂
Qi = ijk a p −p ap~ .
2 (2π)3 p~ ∂pk ∂pj

Hence confirm that the quanta of the scalar field have spin zero (i.e. a one-particle
state |~pi has zero angular momentum in its rest frame).

5. Show that the time ordered product T (φ(x1 )φ(x2 )) and the normal ordered product
: φ(x1 )φ(x2 ) : are both symmetric under the interchange of x1 and x2 . Deduce that
the Feynman propagator ∆F (x1 − x2 ) has the same symmetry property.

Mathematical Tripos III: Quantum Field Theory 1 [email protected], Michaelmas 2022


Copies available at http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/examples/indexP3.html

6. Examine h0| Ŝ |0i to order λ2 in φ4 theory. Identify the different contributions arising
from an application of Wick’s theorem and derive Feynman rules representing these
contributions as diagrams. Confirm that to order λ2 , the combinatoric factors work
out so that the vacuum to vacuum amplitude is given by the following diagramatic
expression,

h0| Ŝ |0i = exp ( + + + ... )


corresponding to the exponential of the sum of distinct vacuum bubble diagrams.

7. Consider the scalar Yukawa theory given by the Lagrangian


1 1
L = ∂µ ψ ∗ ∂ µ ψ + ∂µ φ∂ µ φ − M 2 ψ ∗ ψ − m2 φ2 − gψ ∗ ψφ.
2 2
Calculate the amplitude for meson decay φ → ψ ψ̄ to leading order in g. Show that
the amplitude is only non-zero for m > 2M and explain the physical interpretation
of this condition using conservation laws.

Mathematical Tripos III: Quantum Field Theory 2 [email protected], Michaelmas 2022

You might also like