Understanding Loop Integrals and Differentiation in Quantum Field Theory

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This discussion focuses on the differentiation of loop integrals in Quantum Field Theory (QFT) as presented in Pierre Ramond's book. The key formula derived for integration of momenta in arbitrary dimensions is \int \frac{d^Nl}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^A}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{\Gamma(A-N/2)}{\Gamma(A)}\frac{1}{(b^2-p^2)^{A-N/2}}. The differentiation with respect to p^\mu leads to the expression \int \frac{d^Nl \quad l_\mu}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^{A}}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{\Gamma(A-N/2)}{\Gamma(A)}\frac{-p_\mu}{(b^2-p^2)^{A-N/2}}. The discussion clarifies the necessary adjustments in the derivation, including the handling of factors and the use of the Gamma function properties.

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earth2
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Hey,

I've been reading a bit in the QFT book by Pierre Ramond about loops and i stumbled about some derivations in appendix B that I can't follow.
First Ramond derives a formula for integration of momenta in arbitrary dimensions
[tex]\int \frac{d^Nl}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^A}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{\Gamma(A-N/2)}{\Gamma(A)}\frac{1}{(b^2-p^2)^{A-N/2}}[/tex]

This is fine with me. What I don't get is the following. He says if we differentiate this formula with respect to [tex]p^\mu[/tex] we'd get

[tex]\int \frac{d^Nl \quad l_\mu}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^A}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{\Gamma(A-N/2)}{\Gamma(A)}\frac{-p_\mu}{(b^2-p^2)^{A-N/2}}[/tex]

I don't see how that comes about. If I differentiate the first formula wrt p I get

[tex]\int \frac{d^Nl \quad (-A)2l_\mu}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^{A+1}}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{\Gamma(A-N/2)}{\Gamma(A)}\frac{-p_\mu(-A+N/2)}{(b^2-p^2)^{A-N/2+1}}[/tex]

I haven't found another derivation of this formula, nor do I see where I go wrong...
Can anyone help my with this?

Thanks
earth2
 
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I usual, we assume an infinite amount of available space under our rug (no discussion of proper definitions of integrals etc...).

I start from your formula : there is a missing factor 2 in the numerator in the rhs, which comes from the square of p inside the parenthesis in the denominator before differentiation :
[tex] \int \frac{d^Nl \quad (-A)2l_\mu}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^{A+1}}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{\Gamma(A-N/2)}{\Gamma(A)}\frac{-2p_\mu(-A+N/2)}{(b^2-p^2)^{A-N/2+1}}[/tex]
So drop the factors of 2 and re-arrange the A and A-N/2 with the Gammas :
[tex] \int \frac{d^Nl \quad l_\mu}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^{A+1}}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{(A-N/2)}{A}\frac{\Gamma(A-N/2)}{\Gamma(A)}\frac{-p_\mu}{(b^2-p^2)^{A-N/2+1}}[/tex]
Then make use of
[tex] \Gamma(z+1)=z\Gamma(z)[/tex]

[tex] \int \frac{d^Nl \quad l_\mu}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^{A+1}}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{\Gamma(A+1-N/2)}{\Gamma(A+1)}\frac{-p_\mu}{(b^2-p^2)^{A+1-N/2}}[/tex]
Finally rename A+1 -> A
[tex] \int \frac{d^Nl \quad l_\mu}{(l^2+2p\cdot l+b^2)^{A}}=\pi^{N/2}\frac{\Gamma(A-N/2)}{\Gamma(A)}\frac{-p_\mu}{(b^2-p^2)^{A-N/2}}[/tex]
(yes, you did the hard part :smile:)
 
Ah, that was enlightening! Thanks a lot! :)
 

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