Energy-momentum tensor for the Dirac spinor

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the energy-momentum tensor for a Dirac spinor in the context of quantum field theory. Participants explore the application of the Dirac Lagrangian and the functional derivative involved in deriving the energy-momentum tensor, as well as related concepts such as spin angular momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the indices used in the energy-momentum tensor formula, specifically questioning which values the A index should run over.
  • Another participant suggests that it is unnecessary to vary each component of the 4-spinor separately, but emphasizes the need to independently vary both ψ and ψ.
  • A participant proposes rewriting the Lagrangian in a symmetrized form to simplify the calculation of the functional derivative.
  • Concerns are raised about the complexity of calculations involving gamma matrices and their impact on deriving the energy-momentum tensor.
  • One participant questions the interpretation of indices in the definition of spin angular momentum, suggesting that they run over the four values associated with the components of the Dirac spinor.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct approach to calculating the energy-momentum tensor or the interpretation of indices in related formulas. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings regarding the treatment of indices in the energy-momentum tensor and spin angular momentum definitions, as well as the complexity introduced by gamma matrices in the calculations.

teddd
Messages
62
Reaction score
0
Hi there, I'm having a problem calculating the energy momentum tensor for the dirac spinor \psi (x) =\left(\begin{align}\psi_{L1}\\ \psi_{L2}\\\psi_{R1}\\ \psi_{R2}\end{align}\right)(free theory).

So, with the dirac lagrangian \mathcal{L}=i\bar{\psi}\gamma^\mu\partial_\mu\psi-m\bar{\psi}\psiin hand i should be able to figure out the energy momentum tensor by using the formulaT^\mu{}_\nu=\frac{\delta\mathcal{L}}{\delta \partial u_A}\partial_\nu u_A-\delta^\mu_\nu\mathcal{L}
and since we're assuming the equations of motion to be true we can forget of the latter term in the above equation, and focus on the former.

Here come the probelms.
First of all, I'm not sure on which values does the A index in the T^\mu{}_\nu forumula run: are they 1L, 2L, 1R, 2R?

If so, how can you tell me explicitly how to do the functional derivation \frac{\delta\mathcal{L}}{\delta\partial u_A}?

By writing explicitly the lagrangian (forgetting about the mass term) i get to
\mathcal{L}=i(\psi^*_{L1},\psi^*_{L2},\psi^*_{1R}, \psi^*_{2R})\gamma^0\partial_0\left(\begin{align} \psi_{L1}\\ \psi_{L2}\\ \psi_{R1}\\ \psi_{R2}\end{align}\right) +i(\psi^*_{L1},\psi^*_{L2},\psi^*_{1R},\psi^*_{2R})\gamma^1\partial_1\left(\begin{align}\psi_{L1}\\ \psi_{L2}\\\psi_{R1}\\ \psi_{R2}\end{align}\right)+i(\psi^*_{L1},\psi^*_{L2}, \psi^*_{1R},\psi^*_{2R})\gamma^2\partial_2\left (\begin{align}\psi_{L1}\\\psi_{L2}\\\psi_{R1}\\ \psi_{R2}\end{align}\right)+ i(\psi^*_{L1},\psi^*_{L2},\psi^*_{1R},\psi^*_{2R})\gamma^3\partial_3\left( \begin{align}\psi_{L1}\\\psi_{L2}\\\psi_{R1}\\ \psi_{R2}\end{align}\right)and I stop here becaouse those gamma matrices makes the calculation ridiculously complicated, which bring me nowhere.

Can you folks help me??
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
You don't need to vary each component of the 4-spinor separately, but you do need to independently vary both ψ and ψ, because these are the two values of uA. So you'd better first integrate by parts and write the Lagrangian in its symmetrized form: ½ψγμ(∂μψ) - ½(∂μψμψ + mψψ.

Taking the functional derivative δL/δ∂μψ is easy, because L is linear in ∂μψ.
 
You don't need to vary each component of the 4-spinor separately, but you do need to independently vary both ψ and ψ, because these are the two values of uA

That was my first guess.

But can you explain me the following issue then?

The spin angular momentum S^{\mu\lambda\kappa} is defined to be S^{\mu\lambda\kappa}=-i\frac{\delta\mathcal{L}}{\delta\partial_\mu u_A}(S^{\lambda\kappa})_{AB}u_Bwhere S^{\lambda\kappa}=\frac{i}{4}[\gamma^\lambda ,\gamma^\kappa].

Now here S^{\lambda\kappa}=\frac{i}{4}[\gamma^\lambda ,\gamma^\kappa] is a 4x4 matrix that acts on the 4 components of \psi (x) =\left(\begin{align}\psi_{L1}\\ \psi_{L2}\\\psi_{R1}\\ \psi_{R2}\end{align}\right), so I'm pushed to say that those A,B indicies on the (S^{\lambda\kappa})_{AB} actually run over the 4 values (1L 2L 1R 2R), and so do the ones of the u_A

Where am i mistaking?
Thanks for your time!
 
By the way, since the question has actually changed should I open a new post??
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K