Did Maggiore Make an Indexing Error in QFT Textbook?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MathematicalPhysicist
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Error Qft Textbook
Click For Summary
The discussion centers on equations 2.6 and 2.7 from a textbook, specifically addressing the logarithmic transformation of a product of exponentials involving group generators. Equation 2.6 presents the product of two exponentials, while equation 2.7 takes the logarithm of this product. A point of confusion arises regarding the use of indices, particularly the transition from 'a' to 'b' in the term involving the product of generators. It is clarified that the change in indices is a result of the summation convention, which helps maintain clarity in the summation process. The use of a dummy index, such as 'b', is necessary to accurately track the terms being summed, ensuring the mathematical integrity of the equations. This explanation resolves the initial confusion regarding the notation and its implications in the context of the equations.
MathematicalPhysicist
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
4,662
Reaction score
372
In page 15 of the first edition of this textbook, in equations 2.6 and 2.7, he writes:

(2.6)e^{i\alpha_a T^a_R} e^{i\beta_a T^a_R}=e^{i\delta_a T^a_R}
where T^a_R is the generator of the group represented by R.
Now in equation (2.7) he take the logarithm:
(2.7)i\delta_a T^a_R=log{[1+i\alpha_aT^a_R+0.5(i\alpha_aT^a_R)^2][1+i\beta_a T^a_R+0.5(i\beta_a T^a_R)^2]}=log[1+i(\alpha_a+\beta_a)T^a_R-0.5(\alpha_a T^a_R)^2-0.5(\beta_a T^a_R)^2-\alpha_a \beta_b T^a_R T^b_R]

and I don't understand from where did he get the term with the b's, I guess it should a's instead of b's, but then again he writes that he uses the taylor expansion of log(1+x) upto second order to get to equation (2.8)\alpha_a \beta_b [T^a_R,T^b_R]=i\gamma_c(\alpha,\beta)T^c_R, I don't understnad why did he change indexes in equation 2.7, can anyone enlighten me with this?

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
MathematicalPhysicist said:
In page 15 of the first edition of this textbook, in equations 2.6 and 2.7, he writes:

(2.6)e^{i\alpha_a T^a_R} e^{i\beta_a T^a_R}=e^{i\delta_a T^a_R}
where T^a_R is the generator of the group represented by R.
Now in equation (2.7) he take the logarithm:
(2.7)i\delta_a T^a_R=log{[1+i\alpha_aT^a_R+0.5(i\alpha_aT^a_R)^2][1+i\beta_a T^a_R+0.5(i\beta_a T^a_R)^2]}=log[1+i(\alpha_a+\beta_a)T^a_R-0.5(\alpha_a T^a_R)^2-0.5(\beta_a T^a_R)^2-\alpha_a \beta_b T^a_R T^b_R]

I don't understand why did he change indexes in equation 2.7,
can anyone enlighten me with this?

Your latex's not quite right...

Magiorre's eq(2.7) is

<br /> i\delta_a T^a_R ~=~ \log\big\{[1+i\alpha_aT^a_R+0.5(i\alpha_aT^a_R)^2][1+i\beta_a T^a_R+0.5(i\beta_a T^a_R)^2]\big\}<br /> ~=~ \log[1+i(\alpha_a+\beta_a)T^a_R-0.5(\alpha_a T^a_R)^2-0.5(\beta_a T^a_R)^2-\alpha_a \beta_b T^a_R T^b_R]<br />

which involves abuses of the summation convention. (Actually, even (2.6) should use another
dummy index like b in the second exponential.)

Basically, he uses the b dummy index so that you can correctly keep track of what's
being summed with what...
 
OK, thanks.
That clears this matter.
 
i am self learning physics. have you ever worked your way backwards again after finishing most undergrad courses? i have textbooks for junior/senior physics courses in classical mechanics, electrodynamics, thermal physics, quantum mechanics, and mathematical methods for self learning. i have the Halliday Resnick sophomore book. working backwards, i checked out Conceptual Physics 11th edition by Hewitt and found this book very helpful. What i liked most was how stimulating the pictures...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
886
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
4K