Feynman integral with three propagators

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the computation of a Feynman integral involving three propagators. Participants are exploring the mathematical techniques required to manipulate the integral, including the use of Feynman parameters, completing the square, and shifting the integration variable.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a Feynman integral and seeks guidance on completing the square and shifting the integration variable.
  • Another participant suggests using the delta function to combine the k squared terms and to express terms involving k in a specific form.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding the application of the delta function to collect k squared terms.
  • Clarification is provided that the delta function implies a relationship among the parameters, specifically that x1 + x2 + x3 = 1.
  • A participant attempts to complete the square but encounters difficulties with the resulting expression.
  • Another participant points out a sign error in the completed square and suggests making a variable shift after completing the square.
  • A participant proposes a specific momentum shift but expresses uncertainty about the process of shifting the integration variable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants are engaged in a collaborative exploration of the problem, with some providing corrections and clarifications. However, there is no consensus on the specific steps for completing the square or the variable shift, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working through mathematical manipulations that involve assumptions about the relationships between the variables and the structure of the integral. Specific steps in the mathematical process remain unclear or disputed.

Milsomonk
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Hi guys,
So I'm trying to compute this Feynman integral:
$$ V=\dfrac {-i} {2} \int {\dfrac {d^4 k} {(2\pi)^4}} \dfrac {1} {k^2 - m^2} \dfrac {1} {(k+P_1)^2 -m^2} \dfrac {1} {(k+P_1 +P_2)^2 -m^2}$$
I have introduced the Feynman parameters and now have the integral:
$$ V=-i \int dx_1 \int dx_2 \int dx_3 \int {\dfrac {d^4 k} {(2\pi)^4}} \dfrac {\delta (1-x_1 -x_2 -x_3)} {-x_1 (k^2 - m^2) -x_2 ((k+P_1)^2 -m^2) -x_3 ((k+P_1 +P_2)^2 -m^2)}$$
Now focusing on the denominator I expand it out and need to complete the square and shift the integration variable according to Peskin Schroeder, but I'm not sure how to do this. Here is what I have so far:
$$ -x_1 k^2 -x_1 m^2 -x_2 k^2 -2x_2 k \cdot P_1 - x_2 P_1^2 -x_2 m^2 -x_3 k^2 -2 x_3 k \cdot P_1 -2 x_3 k \cdot P_2 - x_3 P_1 ^2 -x_3 P_2 ^2 -2x_3 P_1 \cdot P_2 -x_3 m^2 $$

I know that I need to get rid of the terms with dot products but I'm not sure how, any guidance would be awesome :)
 
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First of all, use the ##\delta## to collect all of the ##k^2## terms into a single one with the prefactor 1. Second, collect all of the terms with an inner product with ##k## and write it on the form ##2k\cdot V##, where ##V## is some sum of 4-vectors. Finally, complete the square.
 
Hi,
Thanks for your response :) I'm not sure exactly what you mean by using the delta to collect the k squared terms?
 
Because of the delta function, ##x_1 + x_2 + x_3 = 1## whenever the integrand is non-zero.
 
Oh ok thanks, so I also do that for the mass terms as well. Now I have:
$$= -k^2 - 2k\cdot (x_2 P_1 +x_3 P_1 +x_3 P_2) - 2 x_3 P_1 \cdot P_2 -m^2 $$
Now to complete the square I must be making some mistake, I get this:
$$= (-k^2 - 2k\cdot (x_2 P_1 +x_3 P_1 +x_3 P_2) +(x_2 P_1 +x_3 P_1 +x_3 P_2)^2) - 2 x_3 P_1 \cdot P_2 - (x_2 P_1 +x_3 P_1 +x_3 P_2)^2 -m^2 $$
This doesn't appear to help me though..
 
You should have the opposite sign for the last term in the completed square. Once you have completed the square, you can make the variable shift.
 
Ah yes, thanks :) so would the appropriate momentum shift be:
$$ l = k+ x_2 P_1 + x_3 P_1 + x_3 P_2 $$
I'm not at all clear on how to shift the integration variable.
 

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