Doubt about partition functions in QFT and in stat Mechanics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between partition functions in statistical mechanics and quantum field theory (QFT), specifically focusing on a fermion non-interacting gas in d dimensions. Participants explore the similarities and differences in the mathematical formulations of these partition functions and the implications for understanding the systems involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the relationship between the statistical mechanics partition function for a fermion gas and the Dirac action in QFT, suggesting that both systems have analogous Hamiltonians.
  • Another participant provides a mathematical representation of the Fermi-Dirac partition function and the Dirac partition function in QFT, indicating a potential connection.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding the differences in summation and integration methods used in statistical mechanics versus QFT, particularly concerning Grassmann fields.
  • One participant recalls that the topic was covered in an advanced QFT course and considers whether to share the solution later for others with similar questions.
  • Another participant agrees that posting the solution would be beneficial for the community.
  • A later reply outlines a standard thermal QFT calculation, suggesting that the log of the Dirac partition function can be related to the Fermi-Dirac partition function with some adjustments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and confusion regarding the relationship between the two partition functions. While some suggest that there is a connection, others highlight the complexities and differences in the approaches, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their understanding, particularly regarding the mathematical steps involved in relating the two partition functions and the implications of Grassmann variables in the calculations.

Iliody
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Hi, I was studying for my final exam on statistical physics and a doubt raised on my head that was truly strong and disturbing (at least, for me), and that I couldn't answer to myself by now.

The doubt is: Given that we have in d dimensions a fermion non interacting gas, the statistical mechanics partition function will be

Z=∏p∈R^{d+1}, spin∈Z2 (1+e^{-β√(p2+m2)}))
"=det(1+e^{-β√(p2+m2)}))",
and in (d-1)+1 dimensions for a Dirac action will have as wick-rotated partition function

Z(β)=det(β(iγ⋅∂+m))

Are both related in some way?

I mean, they are systems with the same Hamiltonians, and given that there is a lot of analogies between the formalisms of QFT and statistical physics I though that both needed to be a little more similar...

Is there a relation between the two that I am not seeing? What's wrong with my intuition? I will be very grateful for any answer (if it isn't on the line of "Quantum Field Theory is a myth, the real thing is Aliens").

Sorry if this question was against the rules (I don't know for now if it could be).

(After posting this question here, I posted in phys*** st**kexc***ge, but I deleted from that place... Is that wrong? Sorry)
 
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Because I can't edit the post (I know that there are good reasons for that), I will retype the mathematical expressions using LaTex, for making them more understandable:
1-Fermi-Dirac in Statistical mechanics:
Z_{F-D}=\prod_{p\in \mathbb{R}^{d+1}} \prod_{s\in\{-\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2}\}} (1+e^{-\beta\sqrt{p^2+m^2}})
Z_{F-D}=det(1+e^{-\beta\sqrt{p^2+m^2}})
2-Dirac in QFT
Z_{Dirac-QFT}=det(\beta(m+i \displaystyle{\not} \partial))
 
Explaining a little more:
-The trouble I hace is un the difference between \sum_n \rangle n | e^{-\beta \hat{H}} | n \langle [\tex] and \int \prod_{i\in fieldcomponents} e^{-\beta H} [\tex]<br /> <br /> If a field is grassman-like, in the first case we sum between "mide is turn on"+" mode is turn off", but in the other case we only take into account the case un which it's turn con only?<br /> Something similar appears to happen in the bosonic case (difference of partition function "per mode")
 
Homer simpson doh:
I remembered today, talking with a friend, that this thing was there in the advanced qft course that we had taken. It's useful that I post here the answer in a few days, if someone has the same question? Or it's better for this post to be deleted and be burned in the oblivion ice's?

Cheers to the community.
 
In my opinion, posting the solution would be more useful.
 
OK, well... this is a pretty standard thermal QFT calculation:

*First: When we do the Wick rotation and make the time periodic (With time period = \hbar \beta), we have as log of partition function <br /> log Z_{Dirac-QFT}=Tr[ln(\prod_{n+1\in 2\mathbb{Z}} \beta(m+i \gamma \cdot \nabla + \gamma_0 \frac{2\pi n}{\beta}))]=\frac{1}{2}Tr[ln(\prod_{n+1\in 2\mathbb{Z}} (\beta^2(m^2+p^2)+4\pi^2 n^2))]=Tr[ln(\prod_{n-1\in 2\mathbb{N}} (\frac{\beta^2(m^2+p^2)}{4\pi^2 n^2}+1))]+const=Tr[ln(cosh(\frac{\beta\sqrt{m^2+p^2}}{2}))]+const=Tr[ln(1+exp(-\beta\sqrt{m^2+p^2}))]+Tr[ln(exp(\frac{\beta\sqrt{m^2+p^2}}{2}))]+const<br />. The former is equal to the fermi-dirac partition function plus an energy shift and with a different normalization.
 

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