Average Fermion Current: Understanding the Relation to Background Fermions

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the averaging of a 4-fermion interaction, specifically the expression \(\overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}}\), over a background of fermions. The participants analyze the derivation of the relation involving averaged values, highlighting the significance of terms that correspond to exchange interactions and the implications of Fermi-Dirac statistics. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity on the interpretation of these terms and the role of Fierz transformations in this context.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum field theory, particularly fermionic fields.
  • Familiarity with Fermi-Dirac statistics and their implications in particle interactions.
  • Knowledge of Fierz transformations and their application in quantum field theory.
  • Basic grasp of averaging procedures in quantum mechanics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Fierz transformation in the context of fermionic interactions.
  • Research the averaging procedures for fermionic fields in quantum field theory.
  • Examine the implications of exchange terms in particle physics, particularly in fermionic systems.
  • Explore advanced topics in quantum field theory, focusing on the role of symmetries and statistics in particle interactions.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, quantum field theorists, and graduate students specializing in particle physics, particularly those interested in fermionic interactions and their statistical properties.

parton
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Hi!

I have a little problem.

Consider a 4-fermion interaction (neglecting constant factors) of the form \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} .
I want to average this interaction over a background consisting of fermions (so it corresponds to the situation where fermions propagate in a background consisting of fermions).

To this purpose, the left-handed current \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} is approximated by the average value \langle \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \rangle

There is the following relation for the averaged value produced by this interaction:
<br /> \begin{align}<br /> \begin{split}<br /> \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} \to &amp; \langle \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \rangle \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} + \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \langle \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} \rangle<br /> \\<br /> &amp; \quad + \langle \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} \rangle \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} + \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} \langle \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \rangle<br /> \\<br /> &amp; \quad - \langle \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \rangle \langle \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} \rangle - \langle \overline{\psi_{a \mathrm{L}}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} \rangle \langle \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \rangle.<br /> \end{split}<br /> \end{align}<br />

But I don't really understand how to obtain this relation. The first two terms look reasonable, but I don't understand the remaining ones.

Ok, the 3rd and 4th terms might correspond to an "exchange term", where fermion c and d are interchanged, because in the case where c is equal to d, we cannot distinguish between the propagating and the background fermion (on the other hand, if c is not equal to d, this exchange term should be 0). But why is there no additional minus sign, because of Fermi-Dirac statistics?

Maybe it has something to do with a Fierz transformation, where the minus sign cancels out, i.e.,
\overline{\psi}_{a \mathrm{L}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}} \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} = \overline{\psi}_{a \mathrm{L}} \gamma^{\lambda} \psi_{d \mathrm{L}} \overline{\psi_{c \mathrm{L}}} \gamma_{\lambda} \psi_{b \mathrm{L}}.

And how could the last two terms be interpreted?

I hope somebody could help me understanding the relation above.
 
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can you provide a reference for that averaging procedure.How is it defined.Also it is not Fierz reshuffling otherwise you will also get pseudoscalar and pseudovector part(apart from identity)
 

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