Variation of Scalar Field Action: Polchinski's AdS/CFT Review

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the variation of the scalar effective bulk action in the context of Polchinski's review on AdS/CFT, specifically formula (3.19). The scalar effective bulk action is defined as \( S_0=\frac{\eta}{2}\epsilon^{1-D}\int d^Dx \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \phi_{\rm cl} \). The variation of this action, \( \delta S_0 \), is expressed as \( \delta S_0={\eta}\epsilon^{1-D}\int d^Dx \delta \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \phi_{\rm cl} \). The key question raised is about the equality of two terms derived from Leibniz's rule, which states that \( \int d^Dx \delta \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \phi_{\rm cl}=\int d^Dx \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \delta \phi_{\rm cl} \).

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  • Understanding of scalar field theory
  • Familiarity with the AdS/CFT correspondence
  • Knowledge of variational principles in physics
  • Proficiency in mathematical notation and integration techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the AdS/CFT correspondence in detail
  • Explore the implications of Leibniz's rule in variational calculus
  • Investigate the role of effective actions in quantum field theory
  • Review Polchinski's other works on string theory and quantum gravity
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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, string theory, and the AdS/CFT correspondence. It is also valuable for graduate students and researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of scalar field actions and their variations.

craigthone
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I am reading Polchinski's review on AdS/CFT https://arxiv.org/abs/1010.6134.
I have a very simple question, and please help me out. Thanks in advanced.

The question abou formula (3.19)
The scalar effective bulk action is given by
$$ S_0=\frac{\eta}{2}\epsilon^{1-D}\int d^Dx \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \phi_{\rm cl}$$
The variation of ##S_0## is given by
$$ \delta S_0={\eta}\epsilon^{1-D}\int d^Dx \delta \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \phi_{\rm cl}$$

My question is why the two terms from Leibnitz are equal?
The variation of ##S_0## is given by
$$\int d^Dx \delta \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \phi_{\rm cl}=\int d^Dx \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \delta \phi_{\rm cl}$$
 
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Which two terms are equal? Are you talking about the equality at the bottom of your post?
 
stevendaryl said:
Which two terms are equal? Are you talking about the equality at the bottom of your post?
yes, sorry for my expression.
$$ \delta S_0=\frac{\eta}{2}\epsilon^{1-D}\int d^Dx \delta \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \phi_{\rm cl}+\frac{\eta}{2}\epsilon^{1-D}\int d^Dx \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \delta \phi_{\rm cl} ={\eta}\epsilon^{1-D}\int d^Dx \delta \phi_{\rm cl} \partial_\epsilon \phi_{\rm cl}$$
why does the 2nd equality hold?
 
Last edited:

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