Is Normal Ordering for Total Momentum Correct in QFT?

  • Thread starter Thread starter moob301
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Momentum Normal
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the normal ordering of total momentum in Quantum Field Theory (QFT) as explained in David Tong's lecture notes. The free field operator and its conjugate momentum are defined using specific integrals involving creation and annihilation operators, \(a_{\vec{p}}\) and \(a^\dag_{\vec{p}}\). The normal ordered total momentum is derived as \(\vec{P}=\int \frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}\vec{p}{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}a_{\vec{p}}\). The confusion arises regarding additional terms in the momentum calculation, specifically the integration of odd functions over the reals, which leads to their cancellation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Field Theory (QFT) principles
  • Familiarity with creation and annihilation operators in QFT
  • Knowledge of normal ordering in quantum mechanics
  • Basic calculus, particularly integration of functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of normal ordering in Quantum Field Theory
  • Learn about the implications of odd functions in integrals
  • Explore the energy-momentum tensor in classical and quantum contexts
  • Review David Tong's QFT lecture notes for deeper insights
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those focusing on Quantum Field Theory and its mathematical foundations.

moob301
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



I'm reading David Tong's QFT lecture notes. And he explains how to drive the free theory total momentum by quantum field operators from the classical field theory.
But I'm confusing on the normal ordering process a little bit.

Homework Equations



In his notation, the free field [tex]\phi(\vec{x})[/tex] and its momentum conjugate [tex]\pi(\vec{x})[/tex] are

[tex]\phi(\vec{x}) = \int\frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\omega_{\vec{p}}}}[a_{\vec{p}}e^{i\vec{p}\cdot\vec{x}}+{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}e^{-i\vec{p}\cdot\vec{x}}][/tex]
and
[tex]\pi(\vec{x}) = \int\frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}(-i)\sqrt{\frac{\omega_{\vec{p}}}{2}}[a_{\vec{p}}e^{i\vec{p}\cdot\vec{x}}-{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}e^{-i\vec{p}\cdot\vec{x}}].[/tex]

And he calculates the normal ordered total momentum from the classical one (the conserved momentum from the energy momentum tensor)
and says the normal ordered total momentum is :
[tex]\vec{P}=\int \frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}\vec{p}{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}a_{\vec{p}}.[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



But the actual calculation goes like this:
[tex]\vec{P}=-\int d^3x \pi \nabla\phi[/tex]
[tex]=\frac{1}{2}\int \frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}\vec{p}(a_{\vec{p}}a_{-\vec{p}}+{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}a_{\vec{p}}+a_{\vec{p}}{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}+{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}{a^\dag}_{-\vec{p}})[/tex]
[tex]=\frac{1}{2}\int \frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}\vec{p}(a_{\vec{p}}a_{-\vec{p}}+2{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}a_{\vec{p}}+(2\pi)^3\delta(\vec{0})+{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}{a^\dag}_{-\vec{p}})[/tex]

So (my question is) what about the other terms? :
[tex]\frac{1}{2}\int \frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}\vec{p}(a_{\vec{p}}a_{-\vec{p}}+{a^\dag}_{\vec{p}}{a^\dag}_{-\vec{p}})[/tex]

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
HInt: What happens when you integrate an odd function over the reals?:wink:
 
gabbagabbahey said:
HInt: What happens when you integrate an odd function over the reals?:wink:
I got it. Thank you very much.
 

Similar threads

Replies
27
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K