Klein-Gordon Operator: Creating Particles at Position x

In summary, the conversation discusses the Klein-Gordon field as an operator that creates a particle at a specific position in space. While the mathematical derivation is sound, the physical implications are questioned due to the uncertainty principle. However, it is explained that the uncertainty principle only affects our knowledge of the particle's momentum, not its ability to be localized. The conversation then delves into the relationship between position and momentum in the context of relativity, concluding that the momentum of a relativistic particle can be infinitely large while its velocity remains below the speed of light.
  • #1
Silviu
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Hello! I read that the Klein-Gordon field can be viewed as an operator that in position space, when acted upon vacuum at position x creates a particle at position x: ##\phi(x) |0 \rangle \propto |x \rangle##. It make sense intuitively and the mathematical derivation is fine too, but I was wondering what does it physically means, as according to uncertainty principle, you can't have a localized particle. So what exactly does it mean to create a particle at position x?
 
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  • #2
You can localise a particle as much as you like. Uncertainity principle only tells you that your knowledge about the momentum of the particle will decrease the more you localise it.
 
  • #3
DrDu said:
You can localise a particle as much as you like. Uncertainity principle only tells you that your knowledge about the momentum of the particle will decrease the more you localise it.
I know this. But based on this definition of Klein-Gordon operator, you know the position of particle with 0 error, which means that you should know the momentum with infinite error, which is, the particle can have any momentum from 0 to infinity. But this is not possible, as the particle can't travel faster than light and you know the mass of the particle as you know what particle you create, and the particle is not virtual, so its mass is known (of course with a certain uncertainty, but again a finite one). Is this logic wrong?
 
  • #4
The momentum of a relativistic particle can get as large as you like, yet it's velocity is always smaller than c.
Namely ## p=\frac{mv}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}}##.
 
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1. What is the Klein-Gordon operator?

The Klein-Gordon operator is a mathematical operator used in quantum field theory to describe the creation and annihilation of particles. It is a second-order differential operator that is used to find the energy and momentum of a particle at a specific position.

2. How does the Klein-Gordon operator create particles at a specific position x?

The Klein-Gordon operator acts on a quantum field, which is a mathematical representation of a particle field. When the operator acts on the field at a specific position x, it creates a particle at that position with a specific energy and momentum.

3. What is the significance of the Klein-Gordon operator in quantum field theory?

The Klein-Gordon operator is an essential tool in quantum field theory as it allows us to describe the creation and annihilation of particles in a quantum field. It is also used to calculate important physical quantities such as energy and momentum, which are crucial in understanding the behavior of particles.

4. Can the Klein-Gordon operator be used for all types of particles?

The Klein-Gordon operator can be used for all particles that obey the Klein-Gordon equation, which includes particles with zero spin (such as the Higgs boson) and particles with spin one (such as the gauge bosons). However, it cannot be used for particles with half-integer spin, which require a different mathematical framework.

5. How does the Klein-Gordon operator relate to the famous equation E=mc²?

The Klein-Gordon operator is derived from the Klein-Gordon equation, which is a relativistic version of the famous equation E=mc². This equation describes the relationship between energy and mass and is fundamental to understanding the behavior of particles at high energies.

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