Dirac Field quantization and anti-commutator relation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the quantization of the Dirac field and the anti-commutator relation involving the operators $$b_p^s$$ and $$b_q^r†$$ as outlined in David Tong's notes. Specifically, the participants analyze the transformation of the expression $$Σ_s Σ_r [b_p^s u^s(p)e^{ipx} b_q^r†u^r†(q)e^{-iqy}]$$ into the form $$Σ_sΣ_r[ \{b_p^s, b_q^r †\} u^s(p)u^r†(q)e^{i(p.x-q.y)}]$$. The distinction between the order of the spinor products is emphasized, with the conclusion that the interchange of terms leads to incorrect dimensionality, as $$u^s(p)u^{r \dagger}(q)$$ results in a matrix while $$u^{r \dagger}(q) u^s(p)$$ yields a scalar.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum field theory concepts, particularly Dirac fields.
  • Familiarity with anti-commutation relations in quantum mechanics.
  • Knowledge of spinor algebra and properties of spinors in four dimensions.
  • Ability to interpret mathematical expressions involving operators and their transformations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the anti-commutation relations for fermionic fields in quantum field theory.
  • Explore the implications of spinor indices and their summation in quantum mechanics.
  • Learn about the mathematical structure of Dirac spinors and their applications in particle physics.
  • Review David Tong's notes on quantum field theory, focusing on equations 5.4 and 5.6 for deeper insights.
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Physicists, graduate students in quantum field theory, and researchers interested in the mathematical foundations of particle physics will benefit from this discussion.

sakh1012
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Can anyone explain while calculating $$\left \{ \Psi, \Psi^\dagger \right \} $$, set of equation 5.4 in david tong notes lead us to
$$Σ_s Σ_r [b_p^s u^s(p)e^{ipx} b_q^r†u^r†(q)e^{-iqy}+ b_q^r †u^r†(q)e^{-iqy} b_p^s u^s(p)e^{ipx}].$$

My question is how the above mentioned terms can be written as
$$Σ_sΣ_r[ \{b_p^s, b_q^r †\} u^s(p)u^r†(q)e^{i.(p.x-q.y)}]$$.And why not
$$Σ_sΣ_r[ \{b_p^s, b_q^r †\} u^r†(q)u^s(p)e^{i.(p.x-q.y)}]$$
As per my knowledge $$u^s(p)u^r†(q)!= u^r†(q) u^s(p)$$
please see equation 5.6 in david tong notes. $s$ and $r$ are spinor index and summed over 1-2.
http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/qft/five.pdf
 
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The u's are spinors (usually written as 4d columns). So for sure the last equation doesn't make sense, because
##u^s(p) u^{r \dagger}(q)## is ##4 \times 4##-matrix while ##u^{r \dagger}(q) u^s(p)## is a complex number.
 

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