The meaning of the "physical" electron charge in Peskin (Chap 7)

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SUMMARY

The "physical" electron charge, as defined in Peskin's Quantum Field Theory textbook, is expressed as $$\sqrt{Z_3} e$$, where $$Z_3$$ is the residue of the $$q^2 = 0$$ pole, specifically given by $$Z_3 = \frac{1}{1 - \Pi(0)}$$. The photon two-point function is calculated as $$\frac{-ig_{\mu\nu}}{q^2(1 - \Pi(q^2))}$$, but the physical charge is derived using $$1 - \Pi(0)$$ to reflect measurements taken in the low-momentum transfer limit. This approach is historically significant as the electric charge has been precisely measured in the limit as $$q^2 \rightarrow 0$$, which is why it is used in defining the physical charge.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Field Theory (QFT)
  • Familiarity with photon propagators and two-point functions
  • Knowledge of the concept of charge renormalization
  • Basic grasp of pole residues in complex analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the photon two-point function in QFT
  • Learn about charge renormalization techniques in Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)
  • Explore the significance of low-energy limits in particle physics
  • Investigate the historical measurements of electric charge and their implications
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Physicists, particularly those specializing in Quantum Field Theory, particle physicists, and students seeking to understand charge renormalization and its historical context in experimental physics.

niss
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Homework Statement
Why is the "physical" electron charge e_0 / (1-Pi(0)) and not e_0 / (1-Pi(q^2))
Relevant Equations
(physical charge) = e = sqrt(Z_3) e_0 = sqrt(Z_3) (bare charge)
On p. 246 in the Peskin QFT textbook, below is stated

the "physical" electron charge measured in experiments is $$\sqrt{Z_3} e$$

where Z3 is defined as the residue of the q2 = 0 pole, explicitly as
$$Z_3=\frac{1}{1-\Pi(0)}$$
and e is the bare charge.

In advance, the exact photon two point function is calculated as
$$\frac{-ig_{\mu\nu}}{q^2(1-\Pi(q^2))}$$

Though the photon propagator should be divided by
$$1-\Pi(q^2)$$
, why the defined "physical" charge is divided by
$$1-\Pi(0)$$
?
Why only the low-q2 scattering is being considered here?
 
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niss said:
Homework Statement:: Why is the "physical" electron charge e_0 / (1-Pi(0)) and not e_0 / (1-Pi(q^2))
Relevant Equations:: (physical charge) = e = sqrt(Z_3) e_0 = sqrt(Z_3) (bare charge)

On p. 246 in the Peskin QFT textbook, below is stated
where Z3 is defined as the residue of the q2 = 0 pole, explicitly as
$$Z_3=\frac{1}{1-\Pi(0)}$$
and e is the bare charge.

In advance, the exact photon two point function is calculated as
$$\frac{-ig_{\mu\nu}}{q^2(1-\Pi(q^2))}$$

Though the photon propagator should be divided by
$$1-\Pi(q^2)$$
, why the defined "physical" charge is divided by
$$1-\Pi(0)$$
?
Why only the low-q2 scattering is being considered here?
One could define the electron charge at any momentum transfer. But historically, the value of the electric charge has been measured with precision in the limit ##q^2 \rightarrow 0##. So the value quoted for the electric charge in the particle data booklet is the value measured in that limit.
 
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nrqed said:
One could define the electron charge at any momentum transfer. But historically, the value of the electric charge has been measured with precision in the limit ##q^2 \rightarrow 0##. So the value quoted for the electric charge in the particle data booklet is the value measured in that limit.
Thank you.
 
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