Solving Strange Log Identity - Richard

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a mathematical identity related to logarithmic expressions in the context of a paper on high-energy physics. Participants are exploring the transformation of a logarithmic term into an integral form, specifically in relation to equation 44 of the referenced paper. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and technical explanations regarding the validity of the identity and its implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Richard questions the transformation of a logarithmic term into an integral form and notes that his attempts lead to divergence.
  • Some participants propose that the identity can be verified by differentiating both sides with respect to a variable.
  • Another participant presents an alternative formula for the logarithm involving an integral that contrasts with Richard's original query.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of an "extra term" in the context of energy, with Richard wondering if it can be disregarded.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the notation used in the equation, specifically the meaning of a dash after the sigma notation.
  • Another participant clarifies that the dash indicates the omission of the m=0 term.
  • There is a suggestion to create a separate thread in the Physics section to further explore the physical basis for the mathematical treatment discussed.
  • One participant explains that the original formulation involved dimensional regularization, which led to complications that were resolved using a different approach involving modified Bessel functions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity and implications of the logarithmic identity, with some supporting the transformation and others questioning aspects of it. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the treatment of the "extra term" and the physical justification for certain mathematical choices.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential issues with divergence in integrals and the dependence on specific mathematical formulations. There are also references to regularization techniques that may affect the interpretation of results.

robousy
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Hey folks,

I'm reading the paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0301168

and I'm trying to make sense of the first line of eqtn 44 where he states that we can write:

\frac{1}{2}\sum \int\frac{d^{2n}k}{(2\pi)^{2n}}log(k^2+\frac{m^2}{L^2})

as

-\frac{1}{2}\sum\int\frac{d^{2n}k}{(2\pi)^{2n}}\int_0^\infty ds\frac{1}{s}e^{-(k^2+\frac{m^2}{L^2})s}

It seems to me that the last integral in 's' is somehow a way of expressing the log term, but I can't really see how. I tried the integral and it diverges. Any ideas here folks?
Thanks!

Richard
 
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We can reduce this problem to showing if

\log t = - \int^{\infty}_0 \frac{e^{-ts}}{s} ds.

Show us how you did the integral.

EDIT: Ahh don't worry, One can verify that integral extremely quickly. Differentiate both sides with respect to t, and using the differentiation under the integral sign rule on the RHS. The original question is a valid equality.
 
Last edited:
I the correct formula is

\log t = \int^{\infty}_0\left(e^{-s}-e^{-ts}\right) \frac{ds}{s}

Check:

\int^{\infty}_0\left(e^{-s}-e^{-ts}\right) \frac{ds}{s} = \int_{0}^{\infty}\int_{1}^{t}e^{-ts}\, dt\, ds = \int_{1}^{t}\left[\frac{e^{-ts}}{t}\right]_{s=0}^{\infty} dt = \int_{1}^{t}\frac{dt}{t} = \log t
 
benorin said:
I the correct formula is

\log t = \int^{\infty}_0\left(e^{-s}-e^{-ts}\right) \frac{ds}{s}

Check:

\int^{\infty}_0\left(e^{-s}-e^{-ts}\right) \frac{ds}{s} = \int_{0}^{\infty}\int_{1}^{t}e^{-ts}\, dt\, ds = \int_{1}^{t}\left[\frac{e^{-ts}}{t}\right]_{s=0}^{\infty} dt = \int_{1}^{t}\frac{dt}{t} = \log t

Ahh sorry, my bad, you are correct. I shouldn't have assumed my constant was equal to zero =]

Here's how to get it using the Differentiation under the Integral sign method;

Let I(t) = - \int^{\infty}_0 \frac{e^{-ts}}{s} ds

\frac{d}{dt} I(t) = \frac{d}{dt} \left( - \int^{\infty}_0 \frac{e^{-ts}}{s} ds \right )

= \int^{\infty}_0 \frac{\partial}{\partial t} \left( \frac{-e^{-ts}}{s} \right) ds

= \int^{\infty}_0 e^{-ts} ds = \frac{-e^{-ts}}{t}|^{\infty}_0 = \frac{1}{t}

I(t) = \log_e (t) + C

Letting t=1, C = I(1) = - \int^{\infty}_0 \frac{e^{-s}}{s} ds

Hence, I(t) = \log_e (t) - \int^{\infty}_0 \frac{e^{-s}}{s} ds which is the same result.
 
Ok guys, first of all thanks for helping me work through this, Gib Z, that's a great proof of Benorins formula. Makes perfect sense. I've just worked it through twice to make sure it goes in, and I think its there to stay. :)

Something that was throwing me was an integration formula in Schaums that gave the result as infinite for the given power of 's' in the denominator.

One thing that I'm still unclear on is the 'extra term'.

e.g, my problem filtered down to showing that:

\log t = - \int^{\infty}_0 \frac{e^{-ts}}{s} ds

as used in http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0301168 eq 44.

But the proof demonstrates that

\log t = \int^{\infty}_0\left(e^{-s}-e^{-ts}\right) \frac{ds}{s}

Do you guys think that because the result is an energy then you can just subtract off the constant?

Thanks again for the help!

Rich
 
I am uncertain as to what the little dash ( ' ) just after the sigma refers to. If it means derivative, that may be where the constant goes.
 
Hey, the dash means that the m=0 term is omitted.

Rich
 
Why do they write it like that when it's so much more nicely written

<br /> \sum_{m=1}^{\infty} \int\frac{d^{2n}k}{(2\pi)^{2n}} \log_e \left(k^2+\frac{m^2}{ L^2}\right)<br />

:(

As the where that constant goes, it definitely isn't mathematically justified so there must be some physical basis for it. I suggest you create another thread in the Physics section, link to this thread and ask them over there.
 
Hey GibZ.
Its just part of the regularization. He did in fact originally write it as

\sum_{m=1}^{\infty} \int\frac{d^{2n}k}{(2\pi)^{2n}} \log_e \left(k^2+\frac{m^2}{ L^2}\right)

and perform the dimensional regularization, but it led to derivatives of the Hurwitz Zeta function, so he solved it again using a different regularization process that expressed the results in terms of modified bessel functions of the 2nd kind, without any derivs of the zeta function.
 

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