Peskin Schröder Chapter 7.1 Field Strength Renormalization

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of specific equations in Chapter 7.1 of "An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory" by Peskin and Schröder, particularly focusing on the two-point function for the interacting case and the manipulation of matrix elements involving the vacuum state and momentum eigenstates.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Mr. Fogg asks for clarification on how the third line of a matrix element is derived after the insertion of a complete set of eigenstates, referencing a specific equation from the text.
  • JB notes that the momentum operator acting on the vacuum state yields zero due to the vacuum's Lorentz invariance, suggesting this is relevant to the derivation in question.
  • Another participant questions the transition from the expression involving the momentum operator to the exponential form, seeking further explanation on this change.
  • A later reply proposes that the state |\lambda_p\rangle is a momentum eigenstate, which leads to the momentum operator being replaced by its eigenvalue, thus transforming the expression accordingly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express different aspects of the derivation process, but there is no consensus on the specific steps or reasoning behind the transformations discussed. The questions raised indicate uncertainty and a lack of agreement on the details of the derivation.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the properties of the vacuum state and momentum eigenstates are implied but not explicitly stated, which may affect the clarity of the derivation process. The discussion does not resolve these assumptions or the mathematical steps involved.

Phileas.Fogg
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Hello,
I read chapter 7.1 of "An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory" by Peskin and Schröder and have two questions.

They derive the two point function for the interacting case.
On page 213 they manipulate the matrix element, after insertion of the complete set of eigenstates.

<\Omega | \Phi (x) | \lambda_p >
= < \Omega | e^{iPx} \Phi (0) e^{- iPx} | \lambda_p >
= < \Omega | \Phi (0) | \lambda_p > e^{- ipx} \end{array}

with E_p = p^0

1. Could anyone explain to me, how they get the third line above (also see P & S: equation (7.4) ) ?

2. Later on page 215 they make a Fourier Transform of the spectral decomposition. I don't know, how they derive equation 7.9

\int d^4 x e^{ipx} < \Omega | T \Phi (x) \Phi(0) | \Omega> = \frac{iZ}{p^2 - m^2 + i \epsilon} + \int_{~4m^2}^{\infty} \frac{d M^2}{2 \pi} \rho(M^2) \frac{i}{p^2 - M^2 + i \epsilon}

Regards,
Mr. Fogg
 
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Phileas.Fogg said:
Hello,
<\Omega | \Phi (x) | \lambda_p >
= < \Omega | e^{iPx} \Phi (0) e^{- iPx} | \lambda_p >
= < \Omega | \Phi (0) | \lambda_p > e^{- ipx} \end{array}

with E_p = p^0

1. Could anyone explain to me, how they get the third line above (also see P & S: equation (7.4) ) ?


The momentum operator acting to the left on the vacuum gives zero since the vacuum is assumed to be Lorentz invariant .

-JB
 
And where does the change e^{-iPx} \rightarrow e^{-ipx} come from?
 
Don't have the book with me, but my best guess would be that they set the state |\lambda_p\rangle to be a momentum eigenstate. This means the momentum operator P acts on this state and is replaced by the momentum eigenvalue p (which is ofcourse a 4-vector).

You can also check that when the operator e^P acts on the state the P is also replaced by the eigenvalue p turning it into e^p.
 

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