Euclidean correlators for finite chemical potential

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of Euclidean correlators, specifically two-point functions, in the presence of a non-zero chemical potential. Participants explore the implications of analytic continuation from Euclidean to Minkowski space and the potential complications introduced by the chemical potential.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the Minkowski time-ordered two-point function can still be obtained from the Euclidean correlator through analytic continuation when a chemical potential is present.
  • Another participant notes that a real chemical potential in Minkowski space should be analytically continued to an imaginary one in Euclidean space, suggesting this could lead to numerical stability issues in lattice simulations.
  • A participant clarifies that their inquiry pertains to continuous systems rather than lattice simulations, specifically asking about the validity of the analytic continuation in that context.
  • One response suggests that the participant might derive the relationship by expressing both sides as path integrals and performing the analytic continuation explicitly.
  • A later reply indicates that the relationship between Euclidean and Minkowskian two-point functions may depend on the boundary conditions imposed on the fields, particularly regarding the requirement of a specific value for the gauge field at infinity.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the impact of boundary conditions on the analytic continuation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of chemical potential and boundary conditions for the analytic continuation of correlators. There is no consensus on whether the presence of a chemical potential complicates the relationship between Euclidean and Minkowskian correlators.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations related to the assumptions about boundary conditions and the nature of the systems being considered, particularly in the context of AdS/CFT.

Einj
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Hello everyone,
my question is about Euclidean correlators (say a 2-pt function to be specific) in presence of non-zero chemical potential.

The question in particular is: is it still true that the Minkowski time ordered 2-pt function can be simply obtained from the Euclidean one by analytic continuation? Is this property spoiled by the presence of a chemical potential?

My confusion is mostly due to the fact that, if I'm not mistaken, a real chemical potential in Minkowski should be analytically continued to an imaginary one in Euclidean signature and I don't know if this is a problem or not.

Thanks!
 
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Einj said:
a real chemical potential in Minkowski should be analytically continued to an imaginary one in Euclidean signature and I don't know if this is a problem or not.
It can be a problem. Numerical stability is lost in naive lattice simulations.
 
Thanks a lot for the quick answer! My question however, goes beyond lattice simulations. I don't have any lattice and everything is continuous. The questions is: is it still true that:

$$
\langle O_1O_2\rangle (\tilde\omega,\vec k)\longrightarrow\langle T(O_1O_2)\rangle(\omega,\vec k)
$$
when \tilde\omega\to-i\omega. This is all in the continuous limit. No lattice nor simulations of any sort.

Thanks!
 
Einj said:
is it still true that
I can't tell off-hand but you'd probably be able to work it out yourself by writing both sides as path integrals and perform the analytic continuation explicitly.
 
Thanks for your reply. I indeed checked that for an action of the kind:
$$
S=-\int d^4x\left(-(\partial_t+i\mu)\Phi^*(\partial_t-i\mu)\Phi +\vec\nabla\Phi^*\cdot\vec\nabla\Phi+m^2|\Phi|^2\right)
$$
the 2-pt function in the Euculidean and Minkowskian case are related by an analytic continuation.

I guess at this point my question is more general: does the fact that Euclidean correlators can be obtained from the Minkowskian one with an analytic continuation depend on what kinds of boundary conditions we are imposing on the field?
In particular, is it affected by the requirement A_t(r=\infty)=\mu?

Thanks again!

P.S. My question clearly has AdS/CFT in mind.
 
I think it shoulldn't make a difference but I am not an expert on this.
 
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