Variation of scalar kinetic lagrangian

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the integration by parts of covariant derivatives in the context of scalar field theory, specifically for the complex scalar field \varphi_A. The covariant derivatives are defined as \(D_{\mu} \varphi_A = \partial_{\mu} \varphi_A - i g \varphi_A A^i_{\mu} T^{i \; B}_{\;A}\) and \(D_{\mu} \varphi^{*A} = \partial_{\mu} \varphi^{*A} + ig \varphi^{*B} A^i_{\mu} T^{i \; A}_{\;B}\). The integration by parts leads to the expression \(\delta I = \int d^4 x \left[ \delta \varphi^{*A} D_{\mu} D^{\mu} \varphi_A + \delta \varphi_A D_{\mu} D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A} \right]\). The confusion arises regarding the transformation of indices during the variation of the Lagrangian, which is clarified by the properties of the metric tensor in raising and lowering indices.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of covariant derivatives in gauge theory
  • Familiarity with complex scalar fields and their properties
  • Knowledge of integration by parts in the context of field theory
  • Proficiency in manipulating indices using the metric tensor
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  • Study the properties of covariant derivatives in gauge theories
  • Learn about the role of gauge group generators in field theory
  • Explore the implications of integration by parts in Lagrangian mechanics
  • Investigate the use of the Minkowski metric in raising and lowering indices
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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, graduate students in physics, and anyone studying gauge theories and scalar field dynamics.

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Homework Statement


The goal of the question I'm being asked is to show that the covariant derivatives, [itex]D_{\mu}[/itex], "integrate by parts" in the same manner that the ordinary partial derivatives, [itex]\partial_{\mu}[/itex] do.

More precisely, the covariant derivatives act on the complex scalar field [itex]\varphi_A[/itex] such that
[tex] \begin{align}<br /> D_{\mu} \varphi_A &= \partial_{\mu} \varphi_A - i g \varphi_A A^i_{\mu} T^{i \; B}_{\;A} \\<br /> D_{\mu} \varphi^{*A} &= \partial_{\mu} \varphi^{*A} + ig \varphi^{*B} A^i_{\mu} T^{i \; A}_{\;B},<br /> \end{align}[/tex]
where T are the gauge group generators, g is the coupling constant and A is the gauge field.

I'm told to vary the scalar fields in the gauge-coupled scalar kinetic term, [itex]I = \int d^4 x \left[ -D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A} D_{\mu} \varphi_A \right][/itex] (subject to the usual fixing and fall-off conditions). Here's what the solutions say:

[tex] \begin{align}<br /> \delta I &= \int d^4 x \left[ -\delta (D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A})D_{\mu} \varphi_A - D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A} \delta (D_{\mu} \varphi_A) \right] \\<br /> &= \int d^4 x \left[ -(\partial_{\mu} \delta \varphi^{*A} + ig A^i_{\mu} T^{i \; A}_{\;B} \delta \varphi^{*B}) D^{\mu} \varphi_A - D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A} (\partial_{\mu} \delta \varphi_{A} - ig A^i_{\mu} T^{i\;B}_{\;A} \delta \varphi_B) \right]<br /> \end{align}[/tex]

From there, the professor integrates the first and third terms by parts (using the boundary conditions to set the surface term to zero), relabels and uses the definition of the covariant derivatives to show that you can integrate the covariant derivatives by parts in the same way as normal partial derivatives:

[tex] \delta I = \int d^4 x \left[ \delta \varphi^{*A} D_{\mu} D^{\mu} \varphi_A + \delta \varphi_A D_{\mu} D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A} \right].[/tex]

I understand all the parts except the bit that I'm sure someone will tell me is the most trivial :)
When varying the Lagrangian, why does
[tex] \delta (D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A})D_{\mu} \varphi_A = (\partial_{\mu} \delta \varphi^{*A} + ig A^i_{\mu} T^{i \; A}_{\;B} \delta \varphi^{*B}) D^{\mu} \varphi_A?[/tex]
The professor seems to have changed from upper to lower indices on the first part ( [itex]D^{\mu} \rightarrow \partial_{\mu} \dots + ig A^i_{\mu} \dots[/itex]) and from lower to upper on the second part ( [itex]D_{\mu} \varphi_A \rightarrow D^{\mu} \varphi_A[/itex] ).

I have a deep suspicion that I'm missing something obvious, but I can't see how those indices flipped. Can anyone help?
 
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Homework Equations The equations directly relevant to the question are:D_{\mu} \varphi_A = \partial_{\mu} \varphi_A - i g \varphi_A A^i_{\mu} T^{i \; B}_{\;A}D_{\mu} \varphi^{*A} = \partial_{\mu} \varphi^{*A} + ig \varphi^{*B} A^i_{\mu} T^{i \; A}_{\;B},I = \int d^4 x \left[ -D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A} D_{\mu} \varphi_A \right]\delta I = \int d^4 x \left[ -\delta (D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A})D_{\mu} \varphi_A - D^{\mu} \varphi^{*A} \delta (D_{\mu} \varphi_A) \right] The Attempt at a Solution I think that the professor is using the fact that raising and lowering indices with the metric tensor (in this case, the Minkowski tensor) doesn't change the components of the vector, so\partial_{\mu} = \eta_{\mu \nu} \partial^{\nu}and similarly for the gauge field.Is that correct?
 

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