A Photon self-energy in the finite temperature field theory (real -time)

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The discussion addresses the complexities of photon self-energy calculations in finite temperature field theory, particularly regarding the evaluation of tadpole diagrams. There is acknowledgment of a potential sign issue related to the vertices in the expressions, specifically the difference between the signs of the +-vertex and the --vertex. The distinction between three-momentum and four-momentum is clarified, with capital letters denoting four-momentum and small letters for three-momentum. The confusion surrounding the sign problem is noted, emphasizing that it arises from the time direction of the contour branches. Overall, the conversation highlights the intricacies involved in these calculations and the importance of conventions in defining vertex signs.
Tian
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I want to calculate photon selfenergy in the finite temperature field theory (real -time). There are two delta function. There may be some wrong in my calculation ,but I can not find it
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Your formulae are hard to read, but as far as I can see, the initial expression looks correct (maybe up to a sign, because the +-vertex has the opposite sign of the --vertex; the additional - from the fermion loop is, of course, correct).

The only place, where you have trouble with the ##\delta## functions is in the evaluations of tadpole diagrams (i.e., loops beginning and ending at the same vertex).
 
Thank you very much , the note maybe hard to read . I should distinguish between three momentum and four momentum. Capital letters represent four momentum, and small letters represent three momentum. I hope you can see my note again. This probelm confused me long time .
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And you are right, there is a sign problem, but I don't know the mean of “ the +-vertex has the opposite sign of the --vertex”
 
That's because one branch of the contour is in positive and the other in negative time direction. It depends on your convention which one you call the plus and which one the minus-branch.
 
Theoretical physicist C.N. Yang died at the age of 103 years on October 18, 2025. He is the Yang in Yang-Mills theory, which he and his collaborators devised in 1953, which is a generic quantum field theory that is used by scientists to study amplitudes (i.e. vector probabilities) that are foundational in all Standard Model processes and most quantum gravity theories. He also won a Nobel prize in 1957 for his work on CP violation. (I didn't see the post in General Discussions at PF on his...

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