Another derivation from Quantum Fields on curved spacetime

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mad mathematician
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving equation (3.64) from equation (3.59) in the context of quantum fields on curved spacetime. The key step involves expressing the denominator of (3.59) using the coordinate transformations ##t = \alpha \sinh(\tau/\alpha)## and ##z = \alpha \cosh(\tau/\alpha)##, where ##\mathbf{x} = z## and ##\mathbf{x}' = z'##. By applying hyperbolic function identities, the denominator is rewritten to first order in ##\varepsilon## as $$16\pi^2\alpha^2 \left[\sinh^2\left(\frac{\tau-\tau'}{2\alpha}\right) - \frac{i\varepsilon \Delta t}{2\alpha^2}\right],$$ with ##\Delta t = t - t'##. This manipulation is essential to reach the final form of equation (3.64).

PREREQUISITES

  • Quantum Field Theory on Curved Spacetime formalism
  • Hyperbolic function identities and their properties
  • Coordinate transformations involving proper time ##\tau## and parameter ##\alpha##
  • Complex analysis techniques for handling infinitesimal imaginary shifts (##i\varepsilon## prescription)

NEXT STEPS

  • Study the derivation and physical interpretation of the Wightman function in curved spacetime
  • Explore the role of the ##i\varepsilon## prescription in quantum field propagators
  • Analyze the use of hyperbolic coordinate transformations in Rindler and de Sitter spacetimes
  • Review advanced techniques in manipulating Green’s functions in curved backgrounds

USEFUL FOR

The discussion benefits theoretical physicists, graduate students, and researchers working on quantum field theory in curved spacetime, particularly those studying propagator derivations, coordinate transformations, and the mathematical structure of quantum fields in non-Minkowski geometries.

mad mathematician
Messages
151
Reaction score
26
TL;DR
The enquiry is from pages 52-53 from the book Quantum Fields on curved spacetime by Birrell and Davies.
Hi, can anyone tell me how to derive equation eq (3.64) from equation (3.59)?

attached are the relevant pages:
1770131861825.webp

1770131897694.webp
 
Physics news on Phys.org
From ##t = \alpha \sinh(\tau/\alpha)##, we have ##z = (t^2 + \alpha^2)^{1/2} = \alpha \cosh(\tau/\alpha)##. Use these to express the denominator of (3.59) in terms of ##\tau## and ##\tau'##. Note ##\mathbf x = z## and ##\mathbf x' = z'##.

Using identities for the hyperbolic sine and cosine functions, show that the denominator of (3.59) may be written to first order in ##\varepsilon## as $$16\pi^2\alpha^2 \left[\sinh^2\left(\frac{\tau-\tau'}{2\alpha}\right) - \frac{i\varepsilon \Delta t}{2\alpha^2}\right].$$ In the last term, ##\Delta t = t - t'##, which is a function of ##\tau## and ##\tau'## that will ultimately be absorbed into ##\varepsilon##.

Once you get this far, you can think about how to get the final result (3.64).
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: renormalize and Ibix

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
5K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
4K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K