QED Interaction Lagrangian with two different fermions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the Lagrangian for electron-proton scattering, specifically examining two different formulations of the interaction terms while excluding the effects of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Participants explore the implications of each formulation and the underlying assumptions regarding the proton's structure.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents two forms of the Lagrangian, highlighting differences in the interaction terms and questioning which is correct.
  • Another participant suggests that the first form is appropriate if the proton is treated as having no internal structure, emphasizing the role of electric charge in the interaction.
  • A third participant argues against the second form, claiming that it violates charge conservation and other principles by suggesting interactions that convert protons into electrons.
  • A fourth participant supports the previous claim, explaining that the coupling between different fermions occurs through photon mediation, consistent with their independent coupling to the electromagnetic field.
  • A fifth participant proposes that to accurately study electron-proton scattering, one must consider the proton's structure, suggesting a more general vertex factor that adheres to Lorentz invariance, parity, and gauge invariance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the validity of the second form of the Lagrangian, with some asserting it leads to violations of fundamental principles. There is no consensus on which formulation is definitively correct, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of considering the proton's internal structure when discussing the interaction terms, indicating that assumptions about the proton's nature influence the choice of Lagrangian. The discussion also highlights the need for Lorentz invariance and gauge invariance in formulating the interaction terms.

lfqm
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Let say I want to study electron-proton scattering (without considering proton's quarks, i.e. no QCD), which is the Lagrangian?

I've seen two different answers to this question :confused:

First one:
L=\bar{ψ}e(i∂-mee+\bar{ψ}p(i∂-mpp-\frac{1}{4}Fμ\nuFμ\nu-e\bar{ψ}eγμψeAμ+e\bar{ψ}pγμψpAμ

Second one:
L=\bar{ψ}e(i∂-mee+\bar{ψ}p(i∂-mpp-\frac{1}{4}Fμ\nuFμ\nu-g\bar{ψ}eγμψpAμ-h\bar{ψ}pγμψeAμ

with g,h some constants... (which constants? :confused:)

The difference is obviously the interaction part, both seem reasonable to me... but I've encountered both... So, which one is correct?
 
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If the proton is assumed without internal structure, one can take the first option. The coupling is really done through the electric charge whose absolute value is the same for both particles. The g and h are probably meant to take into account the proton's internal structure through the so-called form factors.

Oops, i didn't see that the spinors were mixed. Sorry. See Bill's comment.
 
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Any reference that gives the second form should be run through a shredder. The interaction g ψeγμψpAμ turns a proton into an electron, violating several basic principles including charge conservation. Likewise for the h term.
 
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Agreed with the above. Think about the Feynman diagrams: you have, e.g, an incoming fermion and anti-fermion which annihilate and then the photon decays into a different species of fermion and anti-fermion. That's how you get coupling between the different fermions: mediated by photons, since they both independently couple to the EM field.
 
Let say I want to study electron-proton scattering (without considering proton's quarks, i.e. no QCD), which is the Lagrangian?
If you really want to study electron-proton scattering without considering qcd then in process you have to involve the structure of proton.So while drawing the feynman diagram the vertex factor at proton site should be modified from -ieγμ to more general one obeying lorentz invariance,parity and gauge invariance.Most generally it is written as [γμF1(q2)+kqvσμvF2(q2)],apart from a overall factor.It was the basis of rosenbluth formula for electron proton scattering.
 

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