Did Maggiore Make an Indexing Error in QFT Textbook?

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The discussion centers on potential indexing errors in equations 2.6 and 2.7 of Maggiore's textbook, specifically regarding the use of dummy indices in the context of group theory. The equations involve the generators TaR and the logarithmic expansion of exponentials. Participants clarify that the change from index 'a' to 'b' in equation 2.7 is necessary for proper summation tracking, although it raises questions about the accuracy of equation 2.6 as well. The consensus is that the use of dummy indices is crucial for maintaining clarity in mathematical expressions.

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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.
 
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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.
 

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