Majorana mass term for the electron

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Majorana mass term and its applicability to the electron, particularly focusing on the implications for charge conservation. Participants explore theoretical aspects, mathematical formulations, and the challenges faced in understanding these concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the Majorana mass term for the electron violates charge conservation, seeking clarification.
  • Another participant requests the explicit formulation of the Majorana mass term and its components, emphasizing the need for clarity in the discussion.
  • There are suggestions to analyze the behavior of the Majorana mass term under U(1)EM transformations to assess its invariance.
  • Multiple requests for the same information indicate a communication breakdown, with frustration expressed over the lack of responses to specific queries.
  • One participant suggests that the original poster may not be refusing to engage but rather struggling with the material, proposing a simpler approach to the problem.
  • Another participant expresses concern that the original poster does not understand the terms involved, suggesting a need for foundational knowledge before progressing.
  • There are mentions of the importance of properly posting equations rather than relying on external files, which may not facilitate understanding.
  • A participant expresses a desire for recommendations on particle physics literature to aid their learning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the understanding of the Majorana mass term for the electron, with ongoing disagreements about the implications of charge conservation and the clarity of the mathematical expressions involved.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing foundational knowledge among some participants, which may affect their ability to engage with the topic effectively. The discussion also highlights the challenges of communicating complex mathematical concepts in a forum setting.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in particle physics, particularly those exploring the concepts of mass terms and charge conservation in theoretical frameworks.

zaman786
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TL;DR
violation of charge conservation of Majorana mass term
hi, while studying Majorana mass term can be added for the neutrino - as they are neutral - but cannot be added for the electron -as it would violate the charge conservation - i could not understand how charge conservation for Majorana mass term of electron is violated.
kindly help
 
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Please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field.
 
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Alternatively, just check how such a term would behave under a U(1)_EM transformation. You should find it is not invariant
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
Please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field.
and left handed electron field comes in doublet
 
zaman786 said:
and left handed electron field comes in doublet
Well, it does, but you still haven't written down what I asked.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Well, it does, but you still haven't written down what I asked.
Majorana=1/2mψˉcψ
 
zaman786 said:
Majorana=1/2mψˉcψ
1707939515123.png
 
Well, after almost a week, we are almost halfway there.

Please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field.

Further, what you wrote down is NOT what the images shows.

If you're not willing to put in any work, why should I?
 
1708056164359.png

sorry , for delay
 
  • #10
Enough is enough. I keep asking you to please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field. and you keep not doing it.

Maybe someone else will help you. I am concluding this is a waste of time. If it's not worth your time to write down the next step of the problem. it can't be worth my time to help you with the step after that.
 
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  • #11
I think they believe they have done what you ask. It would seem to be a problem of ability rather than refusal. But maybe that’s just my reading.

The really simple thing to do though is to look at the terms here:

zaman786 said:
View attachment 340396
sorry , for delay
and do a U(1)_EM transformation. Since the electron is charged under EM, this will mean ##\psi_{eL} \to e^{i\phi} \psi_{eL}## for some ##\phi##. Then the OP should be able to answer the question ”is the Majorana mass term invariant?”
 
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  • #13
actually , i am struggling in this field - and i am in isolation - but trying to proceed -
 

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  • #14
Vanadium 50 said:
Enough is enough. I keep asking you to please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field. and you keep not doing it.

Maybe someone else will help you. I am concluding this is a waste of time. If it's not worth your time to write down the next step of the problem. it can't be worth my time to help you with the step after that.
 

Attachments

  • #15
i am trying - but thanks for your reply
 
  • #16
I don't think you understand what any of the terms mean - that's why you can't answer my hint.question, and that's why you still have questions after a perfectly good answer has been posted twice. You need to back up a few chapters and learn what the terms you are writing down mean.

You might also want to tale the time to learn to post equations here. PDFs of scribblings are not helpful/
 
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  • #17
th
Vanadium 50 said:
I don't think you understand what any of the terms mean - that's why you can't answer my hint.question, and that's why you still have questions after a perfectly good answer has been posted twice. You need to back up a few chapters and learn what the terms you are writing down mean.

You might also want to tale the time to learn to post equations here. PDFs of scribblings are not helpful/
thanks for your guidance- i have books on particle - but i will appreciate if you recommend some -
 

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