Show How Theta Term in QCD Lagrangian is a Total Derivative

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on demonstrating that the theta term in the Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) Lagrangian, represented as ##\alpha G^a_{\mu\nu} \widetilde{G^a_{\mu\nu}}##, can be expressed as a total derivative. The participants suggest using the wedge product for this derivation, although one user prefers a brute-force approach. Key equations include the definitions of ##G^a_{\mu\nu}## and ##\widetilde{G^a_{\mu\nu}}##, and references to various papers and textbooks are provided for further clarification. The conversation highlights the complexity of the derivation and the need for a deeper understanding of the antisymmetry of the Levi-Civita symbol.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) principles
  • Familiarity with the Levi-Civita symbol and its properties
  • Knowledge of wedge products in differential geometry
  • Proficiency in tensor calculus and index notation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the wedge product and its applications in field theory
  • Review the derivation of total derivatives in the context of gauge theories
  • Examine the relevant sections in Weinberg's "Quantum Field Theory" for insights on the theta term
  • Analyze the cited papers for alternative derivations of the total derivative in QCD
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory and gauge theories, as well as graduate students seeking to understand the complexities of the QCD Lagrangian and its implications.

Kara386
Messages
204
Reaction score
2
I'm trying to show that the theta term in the QCD Lagrangian, ##\alpha G^a_{\mu\nu} \widetilde{G^a_{\mu\nu}}##, can be written as a total derivative, where
##\begin{equation} G^a_{\mu\nu} = \partial_{\mu} G^a_{\nu} - \partial_{\nu}G^a_{\mu}-gf_{bca}G^b_{\mu}G^c_{\nu} \end{equation} ##
##\widetilde{G^a_{\mu\nu}} = \frac{1}{2} \epsilon^{\mu\nu\lambda\rho}G^a_{\lambda\rho} ##
And ##\epsilon## is the Levi-Civita symbol.

The thing is, plenty of papers and books say that this is a total derivative, and give absolutely no indication of how to show that. Well, it's been suggested I should use the wedge product, but I've never encountered it and I thought brute force should work fine. So I expand ##G^a_{\lambda\rho}## using the first equation, multiply the two and expand the brackets:
##\frac{1}{2} \epsilon^{\mu\nu\lambda\rho} (\partial_{\lambda}G^a_{\rho}\partial_{\mu}G^a_{\nu}-\partial_{\lambda}G^a_{\rho}\partial_{\nu}G^a_{\mu}-\partial_{\lambda}G^a_{\rho}gf_{bca}G^b_{\mu}G^c_{\nu}-\partial_{rho}G^a_{\lambda}\partial_{\mu}G^a_{\nu}+\partial_{\rho}G^a_{\lambda}\partial_{\nu}G^a_{\mu}+\partial_{\rho}G^a_{\lambda}gf_{bca}G^b_{\mu}G^c_{\nu}-gf_{bca}G^b_{\lambda}G^c_{\rho}\partial_{\mu}G^a_{\nu}+gf_{bca}G^b_{\lambda}G^c_{\rho}\partial_{\nu}G^a_{\mu}+g^2f^2_{bca}G^b_{\lambda}G^c_{\rho}G^b_{\mu}G^c_{\nu})##
So that looks a mess, but because the Levi-Civita symbol is antisymmetric that equals
##\frac{1}{2}\epsilon^{\mu\nu\lambda\rho}(4\partial_{\lambda}G^a_{\rho}\partial_{\mu}G^a_{\nu}+2\partial_{\rho}G^a_{\lambda}gf_{bca}G^b_{\mu}G^c_{\nu}+2gf_{bca}G^b_{\lambda}G^c_{\rho}\partial_{\nu}G^a_{\mu}+g^2f^2_{bca}G^b_{\lambda}G^c_{\rho}G^b_{\mu}G^c_{\nu})##
What it's meant to be, somehow, is
##\partial_{\mu}\left(\alpha \epsilon^{\mu\nu\lambda\rho}G^a_{\nu}(G^a_{\lambda\rho} +\frac{1}{3}g f_{bca}G^b_{\lambda}G^c_{\rho}) \right)##
But I really, really can't see how you'd get there! I'm also a little confused about why the indices ##\mu## and ##\nu## are different in the definition of the dual, but the ##a## is kept the same - don't I need to relabel b,c,a?

I'd massively appreciate any pointers, I've been stuck on this for quite a while!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Maybe this derivation appears in Srednicki's textbook or its solution manual.
 
for those terms with no g, you can use ∂A∂B = ∂(A∂B) - A∂∂B,then you can find the second term εμναβ∂∂ should be zero.
for terms with g, you need ∂(ABC) = ∂ABC+A∂BC+AB∂C, and combining them with εμναβ fabc, you will see the right hand three terms are equivalent with each other, that's why you get a 1/3 before AAA.
as for the last term with g2, you will find it is zero after you use the property of εμναβ and fabcfaef.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
480
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K