Propagator of a Scalar Field via Path Integrals

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of the propagator of a scalar field using path integrals, specifically addressing a step in the calculation as presented in Peskin and Schroeder. The focus is on the evaluation of functional derivatives and their implications in the context of quantum field theory.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion regarding a specific step in the derivation of the propagator and questions how to transition between two mathematical expressions involving functional derivatives.
  • Another participant suggests familiarity with evaluating derivatives of products of functionals as a means to clarify the derivation process.
  • A participant identifies the use of the product rule and the delta function in the context of functional derivatives as key to understanding the derivation.
  • There is a mention of the term ##\frac{Z[J]}{Z_0}##, with one participant clarifying its definition as an exponential involving the functional integral.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the mathematical techniques required to navigate the derivation, but there is no explicit consensus on the overall clarity of the derivation process itself, as one participant initially expressed confusion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of understanding functional derivatives and their properties, particularly in the context of quantum field theory, but does not resolve all potential ambiguities in the derivation steps.

Wledig
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I don't understand a step in the derivation of the propagator of a scalar field as presented in page 291 of Peskin and Schroeder. How do we go from:
$$-\frac{\delta}{\delta J(x_1)} \frac{\delta}{\delta J(x_2)} \text{exp}[-\frac{1}{2} \int d^4 x \; d^4 y \; J(x) D_F (x-y) J(y)]|_{J=0}$$
To:
$$-\frac{\delta}{\delta J(x_1)} [ -\frac{1}{2} \int d^4 y \; D_F (x_2-y)J(y) - \frac{1}{2} \int d^4 x \; J(x) D_F (x-x_2)]\frac{Z[J]}{Z_0} |_{J=0} \; \; \;\text{?}$$
Why is the functional derivative with respect to ##J(x_2)## equal to the term within the brackets above?
 
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Well, do you know how to evaluate the following derivatives?
$$\frac{\delta (F[J]G[J])}{\delta J(x)}$$
$$\frac{\delta J(y)}{\delta J(x)}$$
Where ##F##, ##G## are functionals and ##J## is a function. Knowing this is almost immediat to obtain Peskin's result.
 
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I see now. I just had to use the product rule and the fact that:
$$\frac{\delta J(y)}{\delta J(x)} = \delta^4(x-y)$$
What really confused me was the ##\frac{Z[J]}{Z_0}## term appearing out of nowhere. But on second look that's just:
$$\frac{Z[J]}{Z_0} = \text{exp}[-\frac{1}{2}\int d^4 x \; d^4 y \; J(x)D_F(x-y) J(y)]$$
Thanks for clearing things out, sorry for the silly question.
 
Exact, very good
 

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