Derivation in Srednicki's which got me puzzled.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of a specific term in equation (13.16) from Srednicki's text, particularly focusing on the mathematical steps involved in arriving at the expression \(\frac{1}{k^2+s-i\epsilon}\). Participants are examining the implications of various integrals and the use of delta functions in the context of quantum field theory.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about deriving the second term on the right-hand side of equation (13.16) and attempts to relate it to integrals involving delta functions.
  • Another participant corrects their earlier statement regarding the delta function, suggesting a different form that includes an exponential factor dependent on time differences.
  • A third participant discusses the first term of the two-point function and how it relates to the integrals presented in the equation, indicating that the terms can be manipulated to show a relationship to equation (13.15).
  • One participant suggests evaluating a specific integral using residues to clarify the derivation process and notes the presence of positive and negative energy contributions.
  • A later reply acknowledges a misunderstanding regarding the inclusion of terms in the derivation and expresses regret for the oversight.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit uncertainty regarding the derivation process, with some expressing confusion and others providing alternative perspectives. No consensus is reached on the exact steps leading to the expression in question.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific equations and terms from Srednicki's text, indicating that their understanding is contingent on the definitions and context provided in earlier sections of the book.

MathematicalPhysicist
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Hi. on page 95 , I am not sure how did he derive the second term on the RHS of equation (13.16).

http://books.google.co.il/books?id=...V4QSnhYFA&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

I mean if I plug back I should get:

i\theta(x^0-y^0)\int_{4m^2}^\infty \rho(s) \int \tilde{dk} e^{ik(x-y)} + i\theta(y^0-x^0)\int_{4m^2}^\infty \int \tilde{dk} e^{-ik(y-x)}

And since \int \tilde{dk} e^{\pm ik(x-y)} = \int \frac{d^3 k}{(2\pi)^3 2k^0} e^{\pm ik(x-y)} = \frac{\delta(x-y)}{2k^0}

But I don't see how do we arrive from all of the above to the epression: \frac{1}{k^2+s-i\epsilon} in the integral, anyone cares to elaborate?

Thanks.
P.S
I forgot to mention that: k^0 =\sqrt{\vec{k}^2 +s}
where s is one of Mandelstam parameters, I believe it's standard in the literature.
 
Last edited:
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Wait a minute I have a mistake.

It should be: \int \frac{d^3 k }{(2\pi)^3 2k^0} e^{\pm ik(x-y)} = \frac{\delta^3(\vec{x}-\vec{y})}{2k^0} e^{\pm (-ik^0)(x^0-y^0)}

I still don't see how did he get to this term in equation 13.16. :-(
 
Let's have a look at the first term of <0|T \phi(x) \phi(y)|0>

It is:

\theta(x^0 - y^0) <0|\phi(x) \phi(y)|0>

Making use of 13.12

\theta(x^0 - y^0) (\int \bar{dk} e^{ik(x-y)} + \int_{4m^{2}}^{∞} ds \rho(s) \int \bar{dk} e^{ik(x-y)})

Similiarly for the 2nd term:

\theta(y^0 - x^0) (\int \bar{dk} e^{-ik(x-y)} + \int_{4m^{2}}^{∞} ds \rho(s) \int \bar{dk} e^{-ik(x-y)})

Now add them... the 1st terms will give you what you have from equation 13.15
Also you can put the thetas in the integrals and use 13.15 also for the second terms, getting the integral of rho(s) out...

So you will have something like (it's a sketching not the result):
\int F(k^{-2}) + \int F(k'^{-2}) \int \rho
from where you can take out a common factor... of course the 2 k's you have, also as the author points out, are not the same- the one has "mass" m, while the other has "mass" s... So the two "propagators" appearing will be different.
 
Last edited:
Also about the integral you ask...
It's easier to try to evaluate:
\int \frac{d^{d}k}{(2 \pi)^{d}} \frac{1}{k^{2}+m^{2}-i \epsilon} e^{ik(x-y)}

using residues to end up in the RHS of 13.15...
In fact the residues are going to give you some positive energies moving forward and some negative energies moving backward.
 
Ok, I think this expression is derived in the previous sections, I just didn't notice that the second term was included in the square brackets. My bad, sorry for that.

Thanks.
 

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