Poincare Algebra from Poisson Bracket with KG Action

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the Poincare Algebra from the Noether charges associated with the Klein-Gordon action. Participants utilize the Poisson bracket formalism, specifically the equation \{ A,B \}=\frac{\delta A}{\delta \phi}\frac{\delta B}{\delta \pi}-\frac{\delta A}{\delta \pi}\frac{\delta B}{\delta \phi}, to compute the generators of the Poincare Group. The key results include the expressions for the conserved currents and the momentum, as well as the manipulations required to compute the Poisson brackets involving momenta and angular momentum. The challenge lies in correctly simplifying the Poisson brackets to retrieve the expected algebraic structure.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Noether's theorem and its application to field theories
  • Familiarity with the Klein-Gordon action and its Lagrangian formulation
  • Knowledge of Poisson brackets and their properties in classical mechanics
  • Proficiency in manipulating variational derivatives and field equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Noether currents from symmetries in field theories
  • Learn about the application of Poisson brackets in the context of classical field theory
  • Explore the implications of the Poincare Algebra in quantum field theory
  • Investigate advanced techniques for simplifying Poisson bracket calculations
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, as well as graduate students studying classical mechanics and field theory. It provides insights into the mathematical structure underlying symmetries and conservation laws in physics.

jfy4
Messages
645
Reaction score
3

Homework Statement


Consider the Klein-Gordan action. Show that the Noether charges of the Poincare Group generate the Poincare Algebra in the Poisson brackets. There will be 10 generators.

Homework Equations


[tex] \{ A,B \}=\frac{\delta A}{\delta \phi}\frac{\delta B}{\delta \pi}-\frac{\delta A}{\delta \pi}\frac{\delta B}{\delta \phi}[/tex]
[tex] j_{a}^{\mu}=\frac{\partial \mathcal{L}}{\partial (\partial_\mu \phi)}A_{a}^{\nu}\partial_\nu \phi - A_{a}^{\mu}\mathcal{L}[/tex]
[tex] \pi = \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}}{\partial (\partial_0 \phi)}[/tex]
[tex] \Box \phi - m^2 \phi=0[/tex]
[tex] Q_a = \int d^3 x j^{0}_{a}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


Starting with the action
[tex] \mathcal{L}=\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\mu \phi \partial^\mu \phi -m^2 \phi^2)[/tex]
for the conserved currents for both translations and lorentz transformations I obtain:
[tex] p^\mu = \int d^3 x (\partial^0 \phi \partial^\mu \phi - g^{0\mu}\mathcal{L})[/tex]
[tex] m^{\alpha\beta}=\int d^3 x (\theta^{0\alpha}x^\beta - \theta^{0\beta}x^\alpha)[/tex]
with
[tex] \theta^{\alpha\beta}=\partial^\alpha \phi \partial^\beta \phi - g^{\alpha\beta}\mathcal{L}[/tex]
The for [itex]\{ p^\mu ,p^\nu \}[/itex] I get
[tex] \frac{\delta p^\mu}{\delta \phi}=g^{0\mu}m^2 \phi \quad\text{and}\quad \frac{\delta p^\mu}{\delta \pi} = \partial^\mu \phi - g^{0\mu}\partial^0 \phi[/tex]
which gives
[tex] \begin{align}<br /> \{ p^\mu ,p^\nu \} &= \int d^4 x (g^{0\mu}m^2 \phi)(\partial^\nu \phi - g^{0\nu}\partial^0 \phi)-(\partial^\mu \phi - g^{0\mu}\partial^0 \phi)(g^{0\nu}m^2 \phi) \\<br /> &= \int d^4 x m^2(g^{0\mu} \phi \partial^\nu \phi - \partial^\mu \phi g^{0\nu}\phi) \\<br /> &= \int d^4 x m^2 g^{0\mu}\frac{1}{2} \partial^\nu (\phi^2) - \int d^4 x m^2 g^{0\nu}\frac{1}{2} \partial^\mu (\phi^2) =0<br /> \end{align}[/tex]
since the field vanishes on the boundary. Now if I have done this right... to compute [itex]\{ p^\mu , m^{\alpha\beta} \}[/itex] I can borrow the momentum stuff, and for the Ms I get
[tex] \frac{\delta m^{\alpha\beta}}{\delta \pi}=(\partial^\alpha \phi - g^{0\alpha}\partial^0 \phi)x^\beta - (\partial^\beta \phi - g^{0\beta}\partial^0 \phi)x^\alpha[/tex]
and
[tex] \frac{\delta m^{\alpha}}{\delta \phi}=g^{0\alpha}m^2 \phi x^\beta - g^{0\beta}m^2 \phi x^\alpha[/tex]
Now at this point I have tried to compute the poisson bracket of those above guys, however I cannot seem to retrieve the appropriate form... I know I need to get a superpostion of momenta but I can't seem to get the momentum to come back out. The things I have tried range from integration by parts of various terms, to substituting in the the EOM for the [itex]m^2[/itex] term and trying to integrate by parts from that. But no luck as of yet. Could someone give me a solid push in how to manipulate these guys into the correct end form, thanks.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
just looking at the term [itex]\{ p^0 , m^{0i} \}[/itex] I get the following
[tex] \begin{align}<br /> &=\int d^3 x m^2 \phi (-\partial^i \phi x^0) -0 \\<br /> &= -\int d^3 x (m^2 \phi)\partial^i \phi x^0 = -\int d^3 x (\partial_\lambda \partial^\lambda \phi ) \partial^i \phi x^0 \\<br /> &= \int d^3 x \partial^\lambda \phi \partial_\lambda (\partial^i \phi x^0) \\<br /> &= \int d^3 x \partial^\lambda \phi (\partial_\lambda \partial^i \phi)x^0 + \int d^3 x \partial^0 \phi \partial^i \phi \\<br /> &= \text{something}+p^i <br /> \end{align}[/tex]
which is the desired result except for the "something". Can someone point out why that first term is zero, which it should be. Thanks.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K