Contour integral example from "QFT for the gifted amatueur"

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculation of residues in complex analysis as applied to quantum field theory (QFT), specifically referencing the example from "QFT for the Gifted Amateur." The residue at the pole is derived from the function \(\frac{i e^{-i E(t - t')}}{E - E_p + i \epsilon}\), where the residue is calculated as \(i e^{-i E_p (t-t')} e^{-\epsilon (t-t')}\). This demonstrates the application of residue theory to evaluate integrals in QFT, clarifying the relationship between the pole and the exponential terms involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Complex analysis fundamentals
  • Residue theorem in complex analysis
  • Quantum field theory basics
  • Understanding of poles and integrals in complex functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the residue theorem in detail
  • Explore complex integration techniques in quantum field theory
  • Learn about the role of poles in contour integrals
  • Investigate the implications of \(i \epsilon\) prescription in QFT
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those studying quantum field theory and complex analysis, will benefit from this discussion.

marcom
Messages
17
Reaction score
5
Hi,

I've never studied compex analysis before but I am trying to understand this example from "QFT for the gifted amatur".
I don't understand why the residue at the pole is e-iEp(t-t')e-e(t-t'). How did the find e-e(t-t')?

Thanks.

Immagine.jpg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, he (or she) starts with the function:

\dfrac{i e^{-i E(t - t')}}{E - E_p + i \epsilon}

The residue of a function of the form \dfrac{A(E)}{E-K} is just A(K). In this particular case, K = E_p - i \epsilon, and A(E) = i e^{-i E(t-t')}, so the residue is i e^{-i (E_p - i \epsilon) (t - t')} = i e^{-i E_p (t-t')} e^{- \epsilon (t-t')}
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Demystifier, bhobba and vanhees71
Thanks!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K