Proving \{ \gamma^5 , \gamma^\mu \} = 0 to Gamma 5 Matrix Verification

  • Thread starter Thread starter latentcorpse
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gamma Matrix
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on verifying the anticommutation relation \{ \gamma^5 , \gamma^\mu \} = 0, where \gamma^5 and \gamma^\mu are Dirac matrices. The user outlines a series of algebraic manipulations leading to the conclusion that additional terms arise due to the properties of the matrices, specifically the relation \{ \gamma^\mu , \gamma^\nu \} = 2 \eta^{\mu \nu}. The discussion also touches on the relationship between the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations in quantum field theory, emphasizing the transformation properties of these quantities.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Dirac matrices and their properties
  • Familiarity with quantum field theory concepts
  • Knowledge of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics
  • Proficiency in tensor notation and metric tensors, specifically \eta^{\mu \nu}
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Dirac matrices in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about the derivation and implications of the anticommutation relations
  • Explore the relationship between Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations in detail
  • Review the role of metric tensors in quantum field theory
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, graduate students studying particle physics, and researchers interested in the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics.

latentcorpse
Messages
1,411
Reaction score
0
How do I verify \{ \gamma^5 , \gamma^\mu \} = 0

I have

\{ \gamma^5 , \gamma^\mu \} = \gamma^5 \gamma^\mu + \gamma^\mu \gamma^5
= -i ( \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 + \gamma^5 \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 )
= -i ( \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 - \gamma^0 \gamma^5 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 )
= -i ( \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 + \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^5 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 )
= -i ( \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 - \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^5 \gamma^3 )
= -i ( \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 + \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 )

But this is not quite right, because at some point I will have shifted the \gamma^\mu past itself and so I will get an additional term +2 \eta^{ \mu \mu} since \{ \gamma^\mu , \gamma^\nu \} = 2 \eta^{\mu \nu}

So I should get three terms:
= -i ( \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 + \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 -2 \eta^{\mu \mu} \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5 )

and then

= -i ( (2-2 \eta^{\mu \mu}) \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^5) \neq 0 since \eta^{\mu \mu} = 4, no?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
So you have to prove that
<br /> \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^{\mu} + \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 = 0<br />

The main idea is to get matrices with identical indexes close to each other.
Note that
1. every time you switch two \gamma's with \mu \neq \nu you get a minus sign
2. if you have to move \gamma^\mu in the first summand k times to the left, you will have to move it in the second summand (3-k) times to the right, thus giving ou additional (-1)
 
quZz said:
So you have to prove that
<br /> \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 \gamma^{\mu} + \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3 = 0<br />

The main idea is to get matrices with identical indexes close to each other.
Note that
1. every time you switch two \gamma's with \mu \neq \nu you get a minus sign
2. if you have to move \gamma^\mu in the first summand k times to the left, you will have to move it in the second summand (3-k) times to the right, thus giving ou additional (-1)

Thanks. Can I also ask, why equation 3.25 is correct? Isn't that the interaction Lagrangian instead of the interaction Hamiltonian? I think you'll need to look at eqn 3.7 as well.

Cheers.
 
em... which book? =)
 
It comes right from the connection between hamiltonian and lagrangian.

If you have for lagrangian L = L1 + L2 and L2 does not depend on derivatives, then for hamiltonian you have H = H1 + H2, where H1 corresponds to L1 and H2 = -L2.

Even more, if you have infinitesimal addition (that can depend on derivatives) to lagrangian: L = L0 + L', then for hamiltonian H = H0 + H', where H0 corresponds to L0 and H' = -L'.
 
quZz said:
It comes right from the connection between hamiltonian and lagrangian.

If you have for lagrangian L = L1 + L2 and L2 does not depend on derivatives, then for hamiltonian you have H = H1 + H2, where H1 corresponds to L1 and H2 = -L2.

Even more, if you have infinitesimal addition (that can depend on derivatives) to lagrangian: L = L0 + L', then for hamiltonian H = H0 + H', where H0 corresponds to L0 and H' = -L'.

when you say H0 correspsonds to L0, do you mean H0=L0? Or it is just some function of L0?
 
H0 can't be equal to L0, because they don't depend on the same (field) variables. For the system without constraints, the Hamiltonian is the Legendre transformation of the Lagrangian wrt the generalized velocities.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K