How to include contraction symbols in LaTeX

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around how to include contraction symbols in LaTeX, specifically for use in quantum field theory (QFT) perturbation theory. Participants seek solutions for implementing these symbols correctly in their documents.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Patrick inquires about the method to draw contraction symbols in LaTeX, expressing a need for a reminder on the correct approach.
  • Some participants suggest using the package simplewick.sty as a solution for creating contraction symbols.
  • One participant reports an error when attempting to compile a document using the simplewick package, indicating issues with undefined control sequences related to the \contraction command.
  • Another participant responds that the \contraction command works correctly for them, suggesting that the original poster may have forgotten to include the \usepackage command in their document preamble.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the resolution of the compilation error, as some participants successfully use the package while others encounter issues. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific cause of the error.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential missing macros or incorrect document setup that may lead to the reported errors. The discussion does not clarify the exact requirements for successful compilation.

nrqed
Science Advisor
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I apologize, I know this is not a QM question per se but I think I am more likely to find someone who could answer this here.

I'd like to know (or rather, be reminded of) how to draw contraction symbols in LaTeX (or TeX). I mean the symbol we use to show how two fields are "paired up" when we do perturbation theory in QFT. You know what I mean: a line that goes a bit down (or up) from a field, runs across horizontally to the second field and then goes up again (or down again).
I used to have a way to do that but when my work computer was upgraded I lost those files.

Thanks in advance.

Patrick
 
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I also have the same doubt, but when I tried the way it is given in the CTAN package, and tried to compile the latex document I got the error
! Undefined control sequence.
l.27 \contraction
[2ex]{}{\phi_1}{\phi_2\phi_3}{\phi_4}
?
! Undefined control sequence.
l.28 \contraction
{\phi_1}{\phi_2}{}{\phi_3}
?

I also used their instruction generated the simplewick.sty file by latex simplewick.ins and placed it in the same directory as my original .tex fle but still the error persisted.
Is there anything else also I need to do like putting in some macros?
Please help?
 
\contraction works fine for me with simplewick.sty, placing the style file in the same same directory should work. Perhaps you forgot \usepackage. This example is compilable:

Code:
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{simplewick}
\begin{document}
\[
  \contraction[2ex]{}{\phi_1}{\phi_2\phi_3}{\phi_4}
\]
\end{document}

Stefan
 

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