Advanced/retarded Feynman propagator?

In summary, the Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator is a mathematical tool used in quantum field theory to describe the propagation of particles in space and time. It differs from the regular Feynman Propagator by taking into account both forward and backward propagation of particles. Its significance in quantum field theory lies in its ability to calculate amplitudes for particle interactions and understand causality. It is derived from the Feynman path integral formulation of quantum mechanics and is necessary in situations where particles can interact in both directions in time, particularly in the study of particles with spin.
  • #1
thoughtgaze
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is there a discussion somewhere on the notion of an advanced or retarded feynman propagator.

i don't mean the advanced or retarded propagator juxtaposed against the feynman propagator. I mean the feynman propagator itself with a theta step function multiplied by it to effectively give an advanced/retarded feynman propagator.
 
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  • #2
Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 

1. What is the Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator?

The Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator is a mathematical tool used in quantum field theory to describe the propagation of particles in space and time. It is a Green's function that takes into account both the forward and backward propagation of particles, allowing for a complete description of particle interactions.

2. How is the Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator different from the regular Feynman Propagator?

The regular Feynman Propagator only takes into account the forward propagation of particles, whereas the Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator includes both forward and backward propagation. This allows for a more complete description of particle interactions, especially in situations where particles can interact with each other in both directions in time.

3. What is the significance of the Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator in quantum field theory?

The Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator is a fundamental tool in quantum field theory, as it allows for the calculation of amplitudes for particle interactions in both space and time. It is also important in understanding the concept of causality, as it takes into account the time evolution of particles and their interactions.

4. How is the Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator derived?

The Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator is derived from the Feynman path integral formulation of quantum mechanics. It involves summing over all possible paths that particles can take in space and time, and taking into account the probability amplitudes for each path. This results in a mathematical expression that describes the propagation of particles in both the advanced and retarded directions in time.

5. In what situations is the use of the Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator necessary?

The Advanced/Retarded Feynman Propagator is necessary in situations where particles can interact with each other in both the forward and backward directions in time. This is often the case in quantum field theory, especially in the study of particles with spin. It is also useful in understanding the time evolution of particles and their interactions, and in calculating amplitudes for particle interactions in space and time.

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