Feynman rules for vector bosons

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the derivation and understanding of Feynman rules for vector bosons in quantum field theory (QFT), specifically addressing the presence of Minkowski metric terms in the rules for gauge field self-coupling. Participants explore resources and methodologies for comprehending these concepts, particularly in the context of learning QFT independently.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the derivation of specific equations in Ryder's book and expresses difficulty in understanding the Feynman rules for vector bosons.
  • Another participant suggests starting from the LSZ reduction formula to derive the Feynman rules, noting that the Minkowski metric is necessary for expanding 4-vector dot products in the interacting Lagrangian.
  • It is mentioned that the Minkowski metric's role is to select appropriate Clebsch-Gordon coefficients based on the polarization of vector bosons.
  • A suggestion is made to refer to Srednicki's book, which is available for free online, as an alternative resource.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to understand the Feynman rules, and multiple viewpoints regarding resources and methodologies remain present.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication that the discussion may be limited by the participants' varying familiarity with different texts and the specific equations referenced, as well as the complexity of the concepts involved.

wangjiaji
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I'm learning QFT by reading Lewis Ryder's book, so my question in short is: how he arrives at Eq 7.57 and Eq 7.58? If you don't have the book, the question is: why are there Minkowski metric terms in the Feynman rules for a gauge field coupling to itself? If the answer is complicated, simply tell me where I can find it please, I have Peskin's and Weinberg's book, too.

For me it seems impossible to proceed after Chapter 7 with this book, it doesn't have a systematic way of introducing Feynman diagrams, and the Feynman rules for vector bosons seem to be pulled out of a hat, is this a suitable book for a man learning QFT for the first time on his own?

Thank you.
 
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in Weinberg?

Hi wangjiaji! :smile:

I don't have Ryder's book, but I do have Weinberg's Quantum Theory of Fields Volume I …

which page number, and which equations, is it in Weinberg? :smile:
 
To derive the precise form of the Feynman rule, it would be best for you to work it out starting from the LSZ reduction formula for the scattering processes [itex]gg\rightarrow g[/itex] and [itex]gg\rightarrow gg[/itex]. Essentially, the Minkowski metric arises from needing to expand the 4-vector dot products between the vector fields in the interacting Lagrangian before proceeding to contract fields:
[tex]A_\mu A^\mu=g_{\mu\nu}A^\mu A^\nu[/tex]​

Physically speaking, the role of the Minkowski metric in the Feynman rules for the 3- and 4- vector boson vertices is to select, depending on the polarization of the incoming and outgoing vector bosons, the appropriate Clebsch-Gordon coefficient arising from the coupling of two spin-1 systems.
 
Try Srednicki's book. A draft copy is available free at his web page.
 

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