Calculating First Order Photon Self-Energy Integral

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the first order photon self-energy integral, specifically the integral involving the four-momentum \( k \) and an external momentum \( q \). The integral requires a Wick rotation, transforming \( k^2 \) to \( -k_E^2 \). Key insights include that the tensor terms \( (k+q)^\mu k^\nu \) remain unchanged during the rotation, while the \( k^\mu k^\nu \) components will acquire specific sign changes. Additionally, it is confirmed that both the integration variables and external momenta must be Wick rotated for accurate calculations.

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  • Knowledge of self-energy calculations in quantum electrodynamics
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lornstone
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Hi,

I am trying to calculate the first order photon self-energy.

At a point, I must calculte the following integral :
\int d^4k \frac{(k+q)^\mu k^\nu+(k+q)^\nu k^\mu - g^{\mu \nu}(k \cdot(k+q) - m^2}{k^2 + 2x(q\cdot k) + xq^2 -m^2}

I know that I must wick rotate and that k^2 will become -k_E^2.
But I don't know what terms like (k+q)^\mu k^\nu will become.

Can anybody help me?

Thank you
 
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Those terms will just stay the same. All you have to do is keep in mind that in the k^\mu k^\nu tensor, (\mu,\nu)=(0,0) component will acquire a minus sign and the (0,i) and (i,0) components for i=\{1,2,3\} will have a factor of i.

But you do not need to worry about these changes. Just proceed with your calculation.
 
Thank you!

But now I wonder if I can also wick rotate q so that after the change of variable k' = k+ qx I will get no linear term in k in the denominator.
 
Of course, you Wick rotate all four-vectors, i.e., both the integration variables (loop momenta) and the external momenta that are not integrated out. After that, of course, you can do any manipulations like substitutions etc.
 

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