Ladder operators, a technical question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the use of ladder operators in the Hamiltonian formulation of Quantum Field Theories (QFTs) and the challenges associated with commuting long sequences of these operators. The user seeks coding solutions to automate this process, specifically in languages like Fortran or C. A recommended tool for this task is Cadabra, which facilitates manipulations based on the commutators of the Heisenberg algebra. Users are advised to explore Cadabra's documentation and example workbooks for practical guidance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Field Theory (QFT) principles
  • Familiarity with ladder operators and their role in QFT
  • Basic knowledge of programming in Fortran or C
  • Experience with symbolic computation tools, specifically Cadabra
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore Cadabra's official documentation for advanced features and usage
  • Research example workbooks related to the Poincare algebra in Cadabra
  • Learn about the Heisenberg algebra and its commutation relations
  • Investigate existing Fortran libraries for QFT computations
USEFUL FOR

Researchers and physicists working in Quantum Field Theory, software developers interested in symbolic computation, and anyone looking to automate complex algebraic manipulations in theoretical physics.

actachyon
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Forgive me if I am putting this in the wrong place, but this is my first post here. The question that I have is directed to the more experienced researchers than I am, I guess.

In the Hamiltonian formulation of QFTs we write everything in terms of the ladder operators, right? So in practice that means that we have to deal with commuting of long sequences of the ladder operators such that they destroy the vacuum bra and in the process pick up terms that have delta functions with momentum variables. This becomes non trivial even for a string of 8, 10 ladder operators. It could be done by hand but at the expense of time. The obvious way to deal with this is to write code! Is anybody aware of such code in either Fortran, C or any other language? I must not be the first one to think of it, it must have been done before. At least, where would be a good place to start looking for this? What are good site that have Fortran libraries devoted to QFT or physics in general?

Thanks in advance.
 
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actachyon said:
In the Hamiltonian formulation of QFTs we write everything in terms of the ladder operators, right? So in practice that means that we have to deal with commuting of long sequences of the ladder operators such that they destroy the vacuum bra and in the process pick up terms that have delta functions with momentum variables. [...] The obvious way to deal with this is to write code! [...]
Since this is essentially just repeated manipulations/substitutions based on the commutators
of the Heisenberg algebra, it should be possible to do it using Cadabra.
See http://cadabra.phi-sci.com/

The example workbooks there have some info about how to work with commutators.
(See the one on the Poincare algebra.) You'd have to write some "@substitute" patterns
and use Cadabra's "!" apply-until-nothing-changes-anymore feature.

Realistically, you'd have to invest time reading the manual, and maybe talk
to Cadabra's author to get more help.
 

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