Dirac Lagrangian invariance under chiral transformation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the Dirac Lagrangian and its invariance under chiral transformations, specifically in the context of quantum field theory. The original poster attempts to demonstrate this invariance as the mass approaches zero, focusing on the transformation of the Dirac spinor and its adjoint.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the transformation of the Dirac Lagrangian under chiral transformations and explore the implications of the anti-commutation relations of the gamma matrices. There are attempts to manipulate the Lagrangian using properties of the gamma matrices and hints at using the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered hints regarding the anti-commutation of ##\gamma_5## with other gamma matrices, suggesting that this property may simplify the calculations. However, there is no explicit consensus on the best approach to take, and the discussion remains open with various interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of the Dirac Lagrangian and chiral transformations, with some expressing uncertainty about how to apply the hints provided. The discussion is constrained by the need to adhere to specific mathematical properties of the gamma matrices and the transformations involved.

ppedro
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Consider the Dirac Lagrangian,

L =\overline{\psi}\left(i\gamma^{\mu}\partial_{\mu}-m\right)\psi,

where \overline{\psi}=\psi^{\dagger}\gamma^{0}, and show that, for \alpha\in\mathbb{R} and in the limit m\rightarrow0, it is invariant under the chiral transformation

\psi\rightarrow\psi'=e^{i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\psi

\psi^{\dagger}\rightarrow\left(\psi^{\dagger}\right)'=\psi^{\dagger}e^{-i\alpha\gamma_{5}}

Attempt at a solution


\begin{array}{ll}<br /> L&#039; &amp; =\overline{\psi}&#039;\left(i\gamma^{\mu}\partial_{\mu}-m\right)\psi&#039;\\<br /> &amp; =\left(\psi^{\dagger}\right)&#039;\gamma^{0}\left(i\gamma^{\mu}\partial_{\mu}-m\right)\psi&#039;\\<br /> &amp; =\psi^{\dagger}e^{-i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\gamma^{0}\left(i\gamma^{\mu}\partial_{\mu}-m\right)e^{i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\psi\\<br /> &amp; =\underset{(i)}{\underbrace{i\psi^{\dagger}e^{-i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\gamma^{0}\gamma^{\mu}\partial_{\mu}e^{i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\psi}}-\underset{(ii)}{\underbrace{m\psi^{\dagger}e^{-i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\gamma^{0}e^{i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\psi}}\\<br /> &amp; =<br /> \end{array}

For (ii) I tried using \exp\left(s\hat{X}\right)\hat{Y}\exp\left(-s\hat{X}\right)=\hat{Y}+s\left[\hat{X},\hat{Y}\right] to get

\begin{array}{ll}<br /> (ii) &amp; =m\psi^{\dagger}e^{-i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\gamma^{0}e^{i\alpha\gamma_{5}}\psi\\<br /> &amp; =m\psi^{\dagger}\left(\gamma^{0}-i\alpha\left[\gamma_{5},\gamma^{0}\right]\right)\psi\\<br /> &amp; =<br /> \end{array}

Can you help me finish this?
 
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Hint: ##\gamma_5## anti-commutes with all gamma matrices, including ##\gamma^0##.
 
Orodruin said:
Hint: ##\gamma_5## anti-commutes with all gamma matrices, including ##\gamma^0##.

I don't see it... Do you mean I should use that in (i) while also applying BCH's formula?
 
ppedro said:
I don't see it... Do you mean I should use the in (i) while also aplying BCH's formula?
There is no point in using the BCH formula. Just use the anti-commutativity.
 
How can I anti-commute with something that's in the exponent?
 
ppedro said:
How can I anti-commute with something that's in the exponent?
Use the series expansion of the exponent.
 

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