Euclidean correlators for finite chemical potential

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The discussion centers on the relationship between Euclidean and Minkowski time-ordered two-point functions in the presence of a non-zero chemical potential. It raises the question of whether the analytic continuation from Euclidean to Minkowski remains valid when a real chemical potential is involved, particularly since it should be transformed to an imaginary one in Euclidean space. Concerns about numerical stability in lattice simulations are noted, but the primary focus is on continuous systems. The conversation also touches on the impact of boundary conditions on this analytic continuation, specifically regarding the condition A_t(r=∞)=μ. Overall, the validity of the analytic continuation in the context of AdS/CFT is questioned, suggesting that it may not be significantly affected by boundary conditions.
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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