QFT - rewriting a conserved quantity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the manipulation of a conserved current in quantum field theory (QFT), specifically how to rewrite a conserved quantity derived from the energy-momentum tensor. Participants explore the mathematical steps involved in this transformation and the underlying motivations for such manipulations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the conserved current as defined in David Tong's lectures and seeks clarification on how to rewrite it step by step.
  • Another participant notes that since the quantity ωμν is antisymmetric, it can be expressed in a specific form involving the energy-momentum tensor and the conserved current.
  • A further manipulation is suggested where index labels are switched, leading to a redefinition of the conserved quantity.
  • One participant questions the motivation behind the manipulation, wondering if it is to resemble a cross product.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants are engaged in a technical discussion with no clear consensus on the motivations or implications of the manipulations being discussed. The mathematical steps are being explored, but no agreement on the broader significance is reached.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves complex tensor manipulations that may depend on specific definitions and assumptions about the quantities involved. The steps taken are not fully resolved, and there may be additional mathematical considerations not addressed in the posts.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for those studying quantum field theory, particularly students or researchers interested in the mathematical foundations of conserved quantities and tensor manipulations.

center o bass
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Hey! I'm trying to learn QFT now and I'm currently reading David Tong's online lectures;

http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/qft/one.pdf.

At page 17 finds the conserved current

[tex]j^\mu = - \omega^\rho_{\ \nu} T^{\mu}_{\ \rho} x^\nu[/tex]

where i have understood T to be the energy momentum tensor. He further states that it can be rewritten as

[tex](J^\mu)^{\sigma \rho} = x^\rho T^{\mu \sigma} - x^\sigma T^{\mu \rho}.[/tex]

I am not that good manipulating tensors yet and my question is how one goes about showing this, step by step.
 
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Since ωμν is antisymmetric, ωμν = ½(ωμv - ω). We can therefore write (1.54) as
jμ = - ½(ωρv - ω)Tμρxν.
In the second term, switch the index labels ρ and v:
jμ = ½ωρv(Tμvxρ - Tμρxv)
He then defines (Jμ)ρv to be the quantity in parentheses.
 
Bill_K said:
Since ωμν is antisymmetric, ωμν = ½(ωμv - ω). We can therefore write (1.54) as
jμ = - ½(ωρv - ω)Tμρxν.
In the second term, switch the index labels ρ and v:
jμ = ½ωρv(Tμvxρ - Tμρxv)
He then defines (Jμ)ρv to be the quantity in parentheses.

Thanks! And there has also been one applied lowering operator and one raising operator?
 
What is the motivation behind doing this manipulation btw? To make it look kind of like a cross product?
 

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