Explanation of Eq of Peskin's Intro to QFT Book

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the simplification of Equation 2.30 from Peskin and Schroeder's "An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory." The equation relates the commutation relations of creation and annihilation operators, specifically [a_{\textbf p}, a_{\textbf p'}^{\dagger}] = (2\pi)^3\delta^{(3)}(\textbf p - \textbf p'). The participants clarify how substituting this relation into the integral leads to the delta function representation [\phi(\textbf x), \pi(\textbf x')] = i\delta^{(3)}(\textbf x - \textbf x'). Additionally, they discuss the equality of the terms \sqrt{\frac{\omega_{p'}}{\omega_p}} when p equals p', confirming the consistency of the derivation.

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beta3
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Hi

Can someone please explain to me Eq 2.30 in Schroeder's and Peskin's book? (page 21)

how does he simplify the long equation of the commutator to this delta distribution?
\imath\delta^(^3^)\ (x - x')



Thanks
 
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beta3 said:
how does he simplify the long equation of the commutator to this delta distribution?
\imath\delta^(^3^)\ (x - x')

He starts with:

[a_{\textbf p},a_{\textbf p'}^{\sp\dagger}]=(2\pi)^3\delta^{(3)}(\textbf p-\textbf p')

This means that:

[a_{-\textbf p}^{\sp\dagger},a_{\textbf p'}]-[a_{\textbf p},a_{-\textbf p'}^{\sp\dagger}]=-2(2\pi)^3\delta^{(3)}(\textbf p+\textbf p')

Substituting this in and integrating over the delta function (i.e. replacing p with -p'), you get:

i\int \frac{d^3p'}{(2\pi)^3}e^{i\textbf p'(\textbf x'-\textbf x)}

which is just i times the inverse Fourier transform of e^{i\textbf p'\textbf x'}:

[\phi(\textbf x),\pi(\textbf x')]=i\delta^{(3)}(\textbf x-\textbf x')
 
Last edited:
thanks, but there's one thing i still don't understand

after substituting it in and then if you integrate, what happens to the term
\sqrt{\frac{\omega_p_'}{\omega_p}}
 
beta3 said:
thanks, but there's one thing i still don't understand

after substituting it in and then if you integrate, what happens to the term
\sqrt{\frac{\omega_p_'}{\omega_p}}

since p = p' (where by p I mean the magnituide of the three-vector), the two omegas are equal.

Pat
 
nrqed said:
since p = p' (where by p I mean the magnituide of the three-vector), the two omegas are equal.

Pat

ah, yeah, now everything makes sense

Thank you two both soo much :wink:
 

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