Obtaining Euclidean action from Minkowski action

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SUMMARY

The Euclidean classical action, denoted as ##S_{\text{cl}}[\phi]##, for a scalar field ##\phi## is derived from the Minkowski action ##S_{\text{Mn}}[\phi]## through a Wick rotation. The Minkowski action is expressed as ##S_{\text{Mn}}[\phi]=\int d^{4}x\ \bigg(\frac{1}{2}(\partial_{\mu}\phi)^{2}-U(\phi)\bigg)##, while the Euclidean action is given by ##S_{\text{cl}}[\phi]=\int d^{4}x\ \bigg(\frac{1}{2}(\partial_{\mu}\phi)^{2}+U(\phi)\bigg)##. The transformation involves substituting ##x^{0} = - i x_{4}## and applying the relation ##S_{Euc} = - i S_{Min}## to achieve the final form of the Euclidean action.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of scalar field theory
  • Familiarity with Minkowski and Euclidean space concepts
  • Knowledge of Wick rotation technique
  • Proficiency in calculus, particularly integration in multiple dimensions
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  • Study the derivation of Wick rotation in quantum field theory
  • Explore the implications of Euclidean actions in statistical mechanics
  • Learn about the role of potential functions ##U(\phi)## in field theories
  • Investigate the relationship between classical and quantum field theories
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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, as well as graduate students seeking to deepen their understanding of action principles in different spacetime frameworks.

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The Euclidean classical action ##S_{\text{cl}}[\phi]## for a scalar field ##\phi## is given by

\begin{equation}
S_{\text{cl}}[\phi]=\int d^{4}x\ \bigg(\frac{1}{2}(\partial_{\mu}\phi)^{2}+U(\phi)\bigg).
\end{equation}

This can be obtained from the action ##S_{\text{Mn}}[\phi]## in Minkowski space for the same scalar field ##\phi## as given by

\begin{equation}
S_{\text{Mn}}[\phi]=\int d^{4}x\ \bigg(\frac{1}{2}(\partial_{\mu}\phi)^{2}-U(\phi)\bigg).
\end{equation}

To transform the action ##S_{\text{Mn}}[\phi]## in Minkowski space to the Euclidean classical action ##S_{\text{cl}}[\phi]##, one needs to perform a Wick rotation. I need someone to show the derivation.
 
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Continue from real [itex]x^{0}[/itex] to [itex]x^{0} = - i x_{4}[/itex], and from [itex]S_{Min}[/itex] so obtained get [itex]S_{Euc}[/itex] using [itex]S_{Euc} = - i S_{Min}[/itex]:
[tex]S_{M} = \int dx^0 \ d^3x \ \left( (1/2) (\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x^{0}})^{2} - (1/2) (\nabla \phi)^{2} - U(\phi) \right)[/tex]
[tex]S_{M} = -i \int dx_{4} \ d^3x \ \left( - (1/2) (\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x_{4}})^{2} - (1/2) (\nabla \phi)^{2} - U(\phi) \right)[/tex]
[tex]S_{M} = i \int dx_{4} \ d^3x \ \left( (1/2) (\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x_{4}})^{2} + (1/2) (\nabla \phi)^{2} + U(\phi) \right) = i S_{E}[/tex]
[tex]S_{E} = \int d^{4}x_{E} \ \left( (1/2) (\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x_{\mu}})^{2} + U(\phi) \right)[/tex]
 

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