Two separate renormalization group equations?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the existence of two distinct renormalization group equations: one governing the evolution of physical coupling constants with energy and another for bare parameters with respect to cutoff. The participants highlight the ambiguity in textbooks regarding the terminology used for renormalization group concepts, specifically distinguishing between bare and physical coupling constants. The primary focus is on the significance of physical coupling constants, which are measurable experimentally, as opposed to the bare coupling constants that change with cutoff. The equations presented, λ_P(μ) = λ(Λ) + Cλ^2(Λ) log(Λ/μ) and μ (dλ_P/dμ) = -Cλ_P^2, illustrate that both sets of coupling constants adhere to the same renormalization group equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of renormalization group theory
  • Familiarity with coupling constants in quantum field theory
  • Knowledge of cutoff regularization techniques
  • Basic grasp of differential equations in physics
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  • Study the implications of renormalization group flow in quantum field theories
  • Explore the relationship between physical and bare coupling constants
  • Investigate cutoff regularization methods in detail
  • Learn about the experimental measurement of physical coupling constants
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Physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, researchers in theoretical physics, and students seeking to deepen their understanding of renormalization group concepts and their applications.

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Are there two separate renormalization group equations?

One for how the physical coupling constants change with time, and one for how the bare parameters/coupling constants change with cutoff?

Is there a relationship between the two?

It just seems that textbooks use the term renormalization group loosely, and I can't tell sometimes which one are they referring to, the bare or physical coupling constants.

Also, who really cares how the bare coupling constants change with cutoff? Isn't the prize how the physical coupling constants change with energy? Isn't that the only thing that can be measured experimentally?
 
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Not sure how to edit my post, but I meant physical coupling constants changing with energy, not time, while the bare coupling constants change with cutoff (or dimension if regularizing dimensionally).

If you have:

\lambda_P (\mu)=\lambda(\Lambda)+C\lambda^2(\Lambda) \log(\frac{\Lambda}{\mu})

then it seems that they obey the same RG equation:

\mu \frac{d\lambda_P}{ d\mu}=-C\lambda_{P}^2

and

\Lambda \frac{d\lambda}{ d\Lambda}=-C\lambda^2
 

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