Srednicki's QFT: Feynman Rules and Feynman Diagrams

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation and application of Feynman Diagrams as presented in Srednicki's Quantum Field Theory, specifically in the context of the phi-cubed theory and the path integral formulation. Participants explore the implications of symmetry factors in counting diagrams and seek clarification on how to determine the number of distinct diagrams corresponding to specific values of variables.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their understanding of Feynman Diagrams as a method to organize complex expressions in the context of the path integral for the phi-cubed theory.
  • They note that a single diagram can represent multiple equivalent terms, with a counting factor given by the expression: ##V!P!(3!)^P(2!)^V##.
  • The participant mentions the importance of the symmetry factor in adjusting the numerical factor derived from the Taylor Expansion coefficient: ##\frac{\displaystyle 1}{\displaystyle V!P!(3!)^P(2!)^V}##.
  • The main question raised is how to determine the total number of distinct diagrams for fixed values of ##V## and ##P##, and how to identify when all possibilities have been exhausted.
  • Several participants provide feedback on the formatting of the original post, suggesting improvements for clarity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the main question regarding the counting of distinct diagrams. The discussion remains unresolved as no direct answers are provided to the inquiry about diagram enumeration.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of the original question due to formatting issues, which may affect the understanding of the inquiry. The discussion also reflects uncertainty regarding the methodology for counting diagrams and the implications of symmetry factors.

Junaid456
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I'm reading Srednicki's Quantum Field Theory. I 'm trying to read Srednicki's presentation of Feynman Diagrams in the chapter Path Integral for the Interacting Field Theory. Link to the book:

The path integral for the phi-cubed theory is equation 9.11 in the book. Please read that.

I get the following:

I get the following:

1. Feynman Diagrams are a away to to organize the terms in the aforementioned mammoth of an expression;
2. I understand the rules. See Srednicki for more details.
3. A diagram may represent a lot of different terms -- that is, those terms would be equivalent. That factor is given by the term: ##V!P!(3!)^P(2!)^V##
4. Note that the coefficient from the Taylor Expansion is: ##\frac{\displaystyle 1}{\displaystyle V!P!(3!)^P(2!)^V}##. It seems our counting factor exactly cancels the Taylor Expansion coefficient. Let's say that the numerical factor, after cancellation is, 1. But we may have over counted -- that is, a combination of permutations, described in the text, gives the same diagram. This is called the symmetry factor of the diagram. So, we must divide the numerical factor by the symmetry factor.

My question is as follows:

> Given my understanding of the Feynman Rules and Feynman diagrams, I am not sure how to figure out how many diagrams correspond to a fixed values of ##V## and ##P##, say ##V = V_{0}## and say ##P = P_{0}##. Let's say I have made a diagram, and I have computed its symmetry factor. I'm not sure how to figure how do I know how many different other diagrams are there and when have exhausted all possibilities.

It'd be great if someone could help me on this front.
 
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Tip: for inline LaTeX, use ## as the delimiter, not $. If you hurry, I think you can you can still edit your post.
 
Okay. It'd be great if either you or someone else could answer the question though.
 
I don't think anyone can read the question, see post 2.
 
Because it's probably now too late for you to edit your post, I've changed the LaTeX delimiters for you. Maybe this will help.
 

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