Field Operators in Klein-Gordon theory

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the quantization of fields in the context of the Klein-Gordon theory, specifically addressing whether field operators must satisfy the same equations of motion as their classical counterparts. Participants explore the implications of canonical field quantization, the interpretation of field operators, and the transition from single-particle to multi-particle descriptions in quantum field theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether field operators must fulfill the same equations of motion as the classical Klein-Gordon field, suggesting that this may not always be the case.
  • Another participant proposes that it is a natural requirement for field operators to satisfy the equations of motion, linking this to the historical development from Schrödinger theory to relativistic wave equations.
  • Concerns are raised about the interpretation of field operators, particularly regarding their role in creating particles and whether they should adhere to the Klein-Gordon equation.
  • A participant introduces the Hamilton-Jacobi equation for classical fields and the Heisenberg equation for quantum fields, noting that for certain Hamiltonians, the quantum equation can match the classical equation.
  • There is a repeated emphasis on the interpretation of position in field theory, with references to previous discussions on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether field operators must always satisfy the same equations of motion as classical fields. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing interpretations and no consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexities involved in the interpretation of field operators and the implications of moving from single-particle to multi-particle descriptions, indicating potential limitations in understanding the role of position in field theory.

philipp_w
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Currently I am working through a script concerning QFT. To introduce the concept of canonical filed quantisation one starts with the (complex valued) Klein-Gordon field. I think the conept of quantising fields is clear to me but I am not sure if one can claim that the equations of motion for the field operators have to fulfil same equation as the KG field does.

Mostly this is done in textbooks by pure calculating (see Peskin/Schroeder sec. 2.4). Is this somewhat of luck or this is not everytime the case that fieldoperators do not fulfil the equations of motions of their corresponding (classical) fields?

Or is it always allowed to demand the same equations of motions as the fields would fulfil?

(look here

http://theorie.physik.uni-giessen.de/~hees/publ/lect.pdf

formula 3.72)

maybe someone understood what I was trying to say and has some help for me. thx
 
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Am I right in the assumption that this is a sort of some natural requirement to those field operators fullfiling the equations of motions? Because since we started with our intuitive wave-partivle thinking from the Schrödinger theory to predict a relativistic wave equation, we got stucked in some trouble concerning the negative energy states and the interpretation to one particle theory was no longer possible.

Thats why we moved on to multi-particle description with the help of canonical fieldquantisaiton, but should we give up our aim of relativistic one-particle equation? because, what is the interpretation of this field operator? Doesnt create it a particle at position x? so the physics should stay the same, in the sense that this creation-opertor has to fulfil the KG equation from its interpreation as a creation-operator.

I think the effect is just that we are now able to understand better those obscure negative energy states, since we are now "living" in the fock-space with multi-particles and are not longer bounded to the interpretation of one-particle wave function.

But the physics remains the same, we have found a relativistic one-particle (operator-valued)waveequation? Or what else is the interpretation of field operators fulfilling the KG equations?

(the Gupta-Bleuer method came to my mind, where the quantisized vector potential isn't equal to the lorentzgauged field, means the divergence of the fieldop. is not the zero valued operator in fock space, in fact they are not really operators)

--> concerning all that I am now a little bit confused
 
A classical field obeys the Hamilton-Jacobi equation of motion

{\partial\varphi\over\partial t}=\{\varphi,H\},

where \{\cdot,\cdot\} is the Poisson bracket. A quantum field obeys the Heisenberg equation of motion

{\partial\varphi\over\partial t}={1\over i\hbar}[\varphi,H],

where [\cdot,\cdot] is the commutator.

We quantize a theory by postulating that the classical coordiates and momenta q, p are replaced by quantum operators Q, P that obey

[Q,P]={1\over i\hbar}\{q,p\}.

For a hamiltonian that does not have any operator-ordering ambiguities, the quantum equation will be the same as the classical equation.
 
philipp_w said:
Thats why we moved on to multi-particle description with the help of canonical fieldquantisaiton, but should we give up our aim of relativistic one-particle equation? because, what is the interpretation of this field operator? Doesnt create it a particle at position x? so the physics should stay the same, in the sense that this creation-opertor has to fulfil the KG equation from its interpreation as a creation-operator.

Or what else is the interpretation of field operators fulfilling the KG equations?

thats my problem
 
Avodyne said:
Oh, the meaning of position in field theory has been endlessly discussed here. Most recently (I believe) at
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=242578



Newton Wigner's original paper is accessible (currently free) online here:

Localized states for elementary systems
http://prola.aps.org/pdf/RMP/v21/i3/p400_1


Regards, Hans
 

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