Path integral and partition function

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the relationship between transition amplitudes, partition functions, and functional determinants as presented in Peskin's textbook on quantum field theory. Specifically, it addresses the transition amplitude involving time evolution (Peskin page 281, eqn 9.14), the partition function after Wick rotation (Z_0=Tr(e^{-\beta H})), and the functional determinant for the Klein-Gordon equation (Peskin page 287, eqn 9.25). The key conclusion is that while the left-hand side of the transition amplitude can be viewed as a special case of the partition function, it simplifies to a single integration over the initial wavefunction rather than a linear combination of many wavefunctions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum field theory concepts
  • Familiarity with Peskin's textbook, specifically chapters 9.14 and 9.25
  • Knowledge of Wick rotation techniques
  • Basic grasp of functional integration and determinants
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  • Study the derivation of transition amplitudes in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the implications of Wick rotation on partition functions
  • Investigate the role of boundary conditions in quantum field theory
  • Learn about functional determinants in the context of quantum fields
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Students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those focusing on quantum field theory, as well as anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of transition amplitudes and partition functions.

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I have some confusions identifying the following objects:
(1)Some transition amplitude involving time evolution(Peskin page 281, eqn 9.14):
[tex]\langle\phi_b(\mathbf x)|e^{-iHT}|\phi_a(\mathbf x)\rangle=\int{\cal D\phi \;exp[i\int d^4x\cal L]}[/tex]
(2)Partition function(after wick rotation)
[tex]Z_0=Tr(e^{-\beta H})=\int{\cal D\phi \;exp[i\int d^4x\cal L]}[/tex]
(3)Functional determinant(Klein-Gordon for example, Peskin page 287, eqn 9.25)
[tex]const\times [det(\partial^2+m^2)]^{-\frac{1}{2}}=\int{\cal D\phi \;exp[i\int d^4x\cal L]}[/tex]
All three appear in chap 9 of Peskin's textbook. though (2) is not explicitly written.
I can convince myself (2) and (3) are the same, but have trouble with (1). To make LHS of (1) the same with LHS of (2), shouldn't we impose periodic boundary condition on (1) and integrate over all initial states? That is,
[tex]\int{\cal D}\phi_a\langle\phi_a(\mathbf x)|e^{-iHT}|\phi_a(\mathbf x)\rangle=\int{\cal D}\phi_a\int{\cal D\phi \;exp[i\int d^4x\cal L]}[/tex]
But then the RHS of (1) and (2) become different.
 
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No, the right-hand sides of (1) and (2) are still the same. The left-hand side of (1) is just a special case of the left-hand side of (2), where the initial state is a single wavefunction, rather than a linear combination of many wavefunctions. In this case, the integration over all possible initial states can be simplified to a single integration over the initial wavefunction.
 

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