Trouble Finding Renormalization Conditions in Yukawa Theory

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the renormalization conditions in massless pseudoscalar Yukawa theory, specifically focusing on the beta functions and the one-loop corrections to the electron propagator. Participants explore the implications of different terms in the Lagrangian and how they relate to the renormalization process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the Lagrangian for massless pseudoscalar Yukawa theory and the form of the one-loop correction to the electron propagator, noting the presence of logarithmic divergence and finite terms.
  • The same participant expresses confusion regarding the correct renormalization conditions, particularly about setting ##\not{\!p}## to justify the momentum scale ##M##.
  • Another participant corrects the first by clarifying that ##p^2 = p^\mu p_\mu##, suggesting a misunderstanding in the notation used for the momentum squared.
  • A subsequent post focuses on assisting with LaTeX formatting for the notation ##\not{\!p}##.
  • Another participant acknowledges the correction regarding the relationship between ##\not{\!p}^2## and ##p^2##, providing a mathematical expression that relates the two.
  • A later reply thanks the previous participant for the clarification about the anticommutator relation between gamma matrices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct renormalization conditions, and there are competing views regarding the interpretation of the momentum terms and their implications for the calculations.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential misunderstandings in notation and mathematical relationships, particularly concerning the definitions of momentum and the implications for renormalization conditions. There are unresolved aspects regarding the justification of setting ##\not{\!p}## in the context of the renormalization process.

gobbles
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I am trying to calculate the ##\beta## functions of the massless pseudoscalar Yukawa theory, following Peskin & Schroeder, chapter 12.2. The Lagrangian is

##{L}=\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\mu \phi)^2-\frac{\lambda}{4!}\phi^4+\bar{\psi}(i\gamma^\mu \partial_\mu)\psi-ig\bar{\psi}\gamma^5\psi\phi.##

When calculating the one-loop correction to the electron (##\psi##) propagator, there is one diagram, the expression for which is of the form

##g^2\not{\!p}\left[\mbox{logarithmic divergence} + \mbox{finite terms that depend on } \log(-p^2)\right].##

In order to calculate the ##\beta(g)## function, we now need to find the counterterm ##\delta_\psi## at the renormalization conditions given at an unphysical momentum ##p^2=−M^2##, where ##M## defines the scale we're working at. The renormalization conditions, if I understand right, are chosen to make the ##\log(−p^2)## term finite, but there is also the ##\not{\!p}## term which should be set. If I set

##\not{\!p}=M,##

I would get

##p^2=\not{\!p}^2=M^2,##

instead of ##p^2=−M^2##, as required. The remaining thing to do is to set ##\not{\!p}=iM##, but I'm having trouble justifying that.
What are the correct renormalization conditions in this case?
 
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You got it wrong, ##p^2 = p^\mu p_\mu##, what you wrote is square of p slash, which I am not sure how to LaTexed it.
 
I'm posting only for helping with the LaTeX.
MathematicalPhysicist said:
You got it wrong, ##p^2 = p^\mu p_\mu##, what you wrote is square of p slash, which I am not sure how to LaTexed it.
\not{\!p}
 
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##\not{\!p}## works, thanks.
 
Thanks for the reply!
##\not{\!p}^2=p_\mu \gamma^\mu p_\nu \gamma^\nu=p_\mu p_\nu(2g^{\mu\nu}-\gamma^\nu \gamma^\mu)=2p^2-\not{\!p}^2##
and therefore
##p^2=\not{\!p}^2##
 
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Thank you for correcting me, forgot the anticommutator relation between the gammas.
 

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