Time-ordered products derivation in "QFT and the SM" by Schwartz

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of time-ordered products as presented in equation (14.35) of "QFT and the SM" by Schwartz. Participants explore the implications of including an exponential term in the equation and the evaluation of the Hamiltonian at specific times, as well as the separation of variables in scalar fields.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether there is a typo in equation (14.35), suggesting that the Hamiltonian should be evaluated at time ##t_{j+1}## instead of ##t_n##.
  • Another participant agrees that the formula without the exponential is also correct, stating that the exponential is included because it is necessary for equation (14.34).
  • There is a proposal regarding the separation of variables in scalar fields, with a participant suggesting that it is reasonable to express ##\phi(x,t)## as ##\phi(x)\exp(-iH\delta{t})##.
  • A later reply reiterates the need for clarity in the mathematical expressions, asking for LaTeX formatting to enhance readability.
  • One participant draws a parallel between the derivation in question and concepts from quantum mechanics, suggesting an intuitive understanding of the relationships involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of the exponential term in the equation, with some supporting its inclusion while others present alternative formulations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the evaluation of the Hamiltonian and the implications of the exponential term.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the specific conditions under which the Hamiltonian is evaluated and the implications of the exponential term in the context of the derivation.

Hill
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TL;DR
Replacing a field eigenstate by the field operator
This question is not crucial, but I'd like to understand better the equation (14.35) in this derivation:

1710605797266.png

1710605837206.png

Here ##\Phi## is an eigenvalue of ##\hat \phi##, i.e., ##\hat \phi (\vec x ) |\Phi \rangle = \Phi (\vec x) |\Phi \rangle##.

First, I think that there is a typo in (14.35): the Hamiltonian should be evaluated at time ##t_{j+1}## rather than ##t_n##. Is it right?

But the question is, why the exponential is included in (14.35)? Wouldn't it be correct just to write, $$\int \mathcal D \Phi_j(\vec x) \, |\Phi_j \rangle \Phi_j (\vec x_j) \langle \Phi_j| = \hat \phi (x_j) \int \mathcal D \Phi_j(\vec x) \, |\Phi_j \rangle \langle \Phi_j|$$?
 
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Your formula without the exponential is correct as well. A formula with an exponential is studied because that's what one needs in (14.34).
 
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Demystifier said:
Your formula without the exponential is correct as well. A formula with an exponential is studied because that's what one needs in (14.34).
Thank you for the clarification.
 
The scalar fields depends of \phi_{j}=\phi(x,t), so its reasonable to separate the variables as \phi(x,t)=\phi(x)\exp(-iH\delta{t}), since j its fixed u can take a element of time \delta{t} in neiborhood
 
fcoemmanoel said:
The scalar fields depends of \phi_{j}=\phi(x,t), so its reasonable to separate the variables as \phi(x,t)=\phi(x)\exp(-iH\delta{t}), since j its fixed u can take a element of time \delta{t} in neiborhood
Could you please wrap it in ##'s to render the Latex, make it easier to read?
 
WWGD said:
Could you please wrap it in ##'s to render the Latex, make it easier to read?
I see again with more carefully, in truth he takes one of the pieces of (14.34) as in (14.27) because similarly with quantum mechanics:
\begin{equation}
A<B|C>=A<B|A><A|C>=<B|Â|A>\delta_{AC}=<B|Â|C>
\end{equation}
its intuitive.
 
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