Lagrangian and Feynman diagrams

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Lagrangian of the $\phi^4$ theory and its implications for Feynman diagrams, particularly focusing on the kinetic term, its representation in Feynman diagram formalism, and the process of renormalization. The scope includes theoretical exploration and technical explanation of quantum field theory concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the role of the kinetic term in the Lagrangian and its representation in Feynman diagrams.
  • Another participant clarifies that the second term does not independently give rise to the propagator; rather, it is the combination of the first and second terms that does so.
  • A participant suggests that rewriting the Lagrangian introduces a new field without a kinetic term, raising questions about the relationship between kinetic terms and external lines in diagrams.
  • Concerns are raised about the renormalization of the kinetic term and its connection to counterterms, with a specific inquiry into the nature of diagrams associated with the counterterm Z.
  • Another participant discusses the origin of counterterms from self-energy diagrams, noting their dependence on external momenta and the implications for the renormalization process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the role of the kinetic term in the Lagrangian and its implications for Feynman diagrams. There is no consensus on how these elements interact or how they should be represented in the context of renormalization.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the representation of the kinetic term in Feynman diagrams, the nature of external lines, and the specifics of counterterms in the renormalization process. The discussion reflects a complex interplay of theoretical concepts that are not fully settled.

Neutrinos02
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Hello,

Consider the the following Lagrangian of the $\phi ^4$ theory:
$$\begin{align*} \mathcal{L} = \frac{1}{2} [\partial ^{\mu} \phi \partial _{\mu} \phi - m^2 \phi ^2] - \frac{\lambda}{4!} \phi ^4 \end{align*}$$

Now I'm interested in Feynman diagrams.

1. The second term gives the propagator an the third a vertex but what about the first term $$\frac{1}{2} [\partial ^{\mu} \phi \partial _{\mu} \phi]~?$$

2. How does this kinetic term looks like in the feynman diagram formalism?

3. I also don't understand how to renormalize this first term (maybe this question is solved if I know how this term looks like in the sense of feynman diagrams).

Thank you.
 
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Neutrinos02 said:
1. The second term gives the propagator an the third a vertex but what about the first term $$\frac{1}{2} [\partial ^{\mu} \phi \partial _{\mu} \phi]~?$$
The second term does not give the propagator. The first and second terms together do.
 
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Demystifier said:
The second term does not give the propagator. The first and second terms together do.

I can rewrite the Lagrangian in a form where a new field $\sigma$ appears and for this field exists no kinetic term. I thougth this means that there are no external lines for this field. So is there a link between this kinetic term and the external lines?

And how is it possible that we obtain
$$ \mathcal{L} = \frac{1}{2} (1+ \delta Z)(\partial_{\mu} \phi)^2 + \frac{1}{2}(m^2 + \delta m^2) \phi^2 +...$$
for the renormalization of the kinetic term if it is "bounded" in the propagator? More precise shouldn't the counterterm Z be part of . So what are the diagrams for Z?
 
the counter term comes from self-energy diagrams, i.e., diagrams with two external lines. Power counting tells you that this is quadratically divergent. Due to Lorentz invariance, it can only depend on ##p^2## (with ##p## being the four momentum of the external lines) the counter term thus is of the form ##A p^2-Bm^2## with ##A## and ##B## dimensionless quantities. This tells you that the self-energy diagrams' counter terms contribute to ##\delta Z## and ##\delta m^2##. Your 2nd term should have a minus sign in front, by the way, i.e., it's ##...-1/2 (m^2+\delta m^2)\phi^2##.
 
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