# Applications of complex gamma (or beta) functions in physics?

• I
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TL;DR Summary
All the applications I have found for physical applications of the gamma seem to be, to my untrained eye, only for real z (and mostly positive), with the Riemann zeta function being the only obvious exception. What am I missing?
An example of physical applications for the gamma (or beta) function(s) is
http://sces.phys.utk.edu/~moreo/mm08/Riddi.pdf
(I refer to the beta function related to the gamma function, not the other functions with this name)
The applications in Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_function#Applications
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_function#Applications
seem also to be for real numbers (without non-positive integers), and mostly positive, except of course for the Riemann zeta function.
This is likely due to a lack of depth on my part, so could anyone indicate at least briefly where non-real complex values might be in the domain of a gamma function used in a physical application? Associated links with fuller explanations, while not absolutely necessary, are always an appreciated extra bonus. Thanks.

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The Veneziano amplitude in physics is a Beta function of real variables (momenta of particles). However, in string theory this amplitude is derived from certain integrals over the 2-dimensional string world-sheet naturally described in terms of complex analysis.

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Thanks, Demystifier.

If I understand correctly, the string theory description of the world-sheet includes the Beta function over complex variables?
[That is, it is not the case that the connection is only indirect:
classical description: Beta (but no complex)
string theory description: complex (but no Beta).]

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Thanks, Demystifier.

If I understand correctly, the string theory description of the world-sheet includes the Beta function over complex variables?
[That is, it is not the case that the connection is only indirect:
classical description: Beta (but no complex)
string theory description: complex (but no Beta).]
No, I would say the connection is only indirect. It's probably not what you are interested in. But I'm not sure, because I don't know why are you interested in complex variables in the first place. Physically measurable quantities are always real, so it's hard to expect a "direct connection" (whatever that means) of complex variables to physics.

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Thanks, Demystifier. But as far as I can see, variables over ℂn seem to be all over the place in quantum physics. That is, obviously the observables are real, but the connection doesn't have to be that direct. In other words, are there equations in which Gamma must range over ℂ (or Beta over ℂ2)?

For some examples as to how indirect I would be satisfied with:
https://physics.stackexchange.com/q...ons-of-a-complex-variable-used-for-in-physics

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