QFT Klein Gordon Theory, momentum commutator computation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the computation of the momentum commutator in the context of Quantum Field Theory (QFT), specifically focusing on the Klein-Gordon theory. Participants are attempting to navigate the complexities of operator algebra involving annihilation and creation operators.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring the expansion of the commutator and its insertion into integrals. Some express confusion about which specific commutator to use and how to factorize terms correctly.
  • There are attempts to apply the annihilation commutation relation, with participants questioning the validity of their manipulations involving the ordering of operators.
  • Concerns are raised about the implications of swapping operators in the context of multiple operators acting on states.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing guidance on expanding commutation relations and substituting terms. However, there remains a lack of clarity for several participants regarding the proper application of these concepts, and multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the intricacies of operator algebra in QFT, particularly in relation to the specific properties of annihilation and creation operators. There is an acknowledgment of the need for careful consideration of operator ordering and commutation in their calculations.

binbagsss
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Homework Statement



momentum[].png

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
I think I understand part b) . The idea is to move the operator that annihilates to the RHS via the commutator relation.

However I can't seem to get part a.

I have:

## [ P^u, P^v]= \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' (a^{\dagger}(k)a(k)a^{\dagger}(k')a(k') k^u k'^v - a^{\dagger}(k')a(k')a^{\dagger}(k)a(k) k'^vk^u)##

And I can't even think of a first move here, and I don't see anyway to include the commutator expression?

Many thanks in advance
 
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expand the commutator and insert it into the integral
 
Dr Transport said:
expand the commutator and insert it into the integral
which commutator? i don't understand
 
Dr Transport said:
annihilation commutation relation...

As I said in my intiial post I can't see how you can factorise to get where to insert this commutator.
I.e i can't spot a factorisation of the form ## f(a^{\dagger}(k'),a(k')) [a(k),a^{\dagger}(k)] ##

Because ##a^{\dagger}(k'),a(k')## is on the rhs in the first term, but on the lhs in the second term...
 
expand the commutation relation and substitute in for a(k)a^\dagger(k') in the first expression and similarly for the right hand equation, the delta function will integrate out and you can simplify from there.
 
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ahh ofc,thanks
 
Dr Transport said:
expand the commutation relation and substitute in for a(k)a^\dagger(k') in the first expression and similarly for the right hand equation, the delta function will integrate out and you can simplify from there.

Nope actually I'm still struggling

Doing this I have:

## \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k)^{\dagger}(k')a(k)a(k') + a^{\dagger}(k)(2\pi)^3\delta^3(k-k')a(k') - a^{\dagger}(k')^{\dagger}(k)a(k')a(k) - a^{\dagger}(k')(2\pi)^3\delta^3(k-k')a(k))##

##= \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k)^{\dagger}(k')a(k) a(k')) +\int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k)(2\pi)^3\delta^3(k-k')a(k')) - \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k')^{\dagger}(k)a(k')a(k) ) - \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k')(2\pi)^3\delta^3(k-k')a(k))##

##= \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k)^{\dagger}(k')a(k) a(k')) + \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k')^{\dagger}(k)a(k')a(k) )##

so the two delta terms have canceled but I don't know what to do with these two terms.

Thanks
 
binbagsss said:
Nope actually I'm still struggling

Doing this I have:

## \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k)^{\dagger}(k')a(k)a(k') + a^{\dagger}(k)(2\pi)^3\delta^3(k-k')a(k') - a^{\dagger}(k')^{\dagger}(k)a(k')a(k) - a^{\dagger}(k')(2\pi)^3\delta^3(k-k')a(k))##

##= \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k)^{\dagger}(k')a(k) a(k')) +\int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k)(2\pi)^3\delta^3(k-k')a(k')) - \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k')^{\dagger}(k)a(k')a(k) ) - \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k')(2\pi)^3\delta^3(k-k')a(k))####= \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k)^{\dagger}(k')a(k) a(k')) + \int \int \frac{1}{(2\pi)^6} d^3k d^3 k' k'^vk^u (a^{\dagger}(k')^{\dagger}(k)a(k')a(k) )##

so the two delta terms have canceled but I don't know what to do with these two terms.

Thanks

I'm aware that the two annihilator operators and the two creation operators commute and so i suspect the answer is we can just swap these and then the two expressions are identical and cancel.

However with the operator being swapped having another operator on both the left and right side , I am confused whether this is valid because , if we were only acting on a bra, then I agree its fine to swap the annihilator operators, and if only acting on a ket to swap the creation operators. However I believe we should make it general, so acting on a bra and a ket

I can't get my head around, to me if you are swapping the operator in the middle of a string of three operators, you are not just assuming commutation between two of them, but all three... ? thanks
 

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