Casimir's trick / Evaluating trace

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on evaluating the trace using Casimir's trick in quantum field theory. The specific trace form discussed is $$Tr[(\displaystyle{\not} P +M_{0})\gamma^{\mu}(\displaystyle{\not} P^{'} +M^{'}_{0})(\displaystyle{\not} p^{'}_{1} +m^{'}_{1})\gamma^{\nu}(\displaystyle{\not} p_{1} +m_{1})]$$. The solution involves expanding the products and applying the property that the trace of a sum equals the sum of the traces. Additionally, users are encouraged to refer to the identities related to gamma matrices for further simplification.

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BookWei
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Hi all, I am working on a project at the moment, and I have to evaluate the trace by using the Casimir's trick.
The trace form is
$$Tr[(\displaystyle{\not} P +M_{0})\gamma^{\mu}(\displaystyle{\not} P^{'} +M^{'}_{0})(\displaystyle{\not} p^{'}_{1} +m^{'}_{1})\gamma^{\nu}(\displaystyle{\not} p_{1} +m_{1})]$$
I have no idea how can I simplify this form by using Casimir's trick.
Can somebody help me solve this problem?
Many thanks!
 
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BookWei said:
Hi all, I am working on a project at the moment, and I have to evaluate the trace by using the Casimir's trick.
The trace form is
$$Tr[(\displaystyle{\not} P +M_{0})\gamma^{\mu}(\displaystyle{\not} P^{'} +M^{'}_{0})(\displaystyle{\not} p^{'}_{1} +m^{'}_{1})\gamma^{\nu}(\displaystyle{\not} p_{1} +m_{1})]$$
I have no idea how can I simplify this form by using Casimir's trick.
Can somebody help me solve this problem?
Many thanks!
Just expand the products and then use that the trace of a sum is the sum of the traces. Then you will have a bunch of traces of monomials. For each you may use the identities (see for example the wikipedia entry on gamma matrices)
 
nrqed said:
Just expand the products and then use that the trace of a sum is the sum of the traces. Then you will have a bunch of traces of monomials. For each you may use the identities (see for example the wikipedia entry on gamma matrices)

Thank you so much.
 

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