Varying with respect to vierbein

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of varying an action with respect to the vierbein in the context of theoretical physics, particularly in relation to fields such as gravity and supersymmetry. Participants explore the implications of the vierbein's determinant and the spin connection in their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for clarification on how to vary an action involving the vierbein, specifically mentioning the determinant of the vierbein and the spin connection.
  • Another participant suggests that the first term should be expressed in terms of the metric derived from the vierbeins and questions whether the spin connection is treated as a function of the vierbein or as an independent field.
  • A third participant expresses uncertainty about the expected result for the energy-momentum tensor and seeks clarification on the reasoning behind it.
  • A fourth participant recommends consulting a specific book for detailed calculations related to varying actions with respect to the vierbein and emphasizes the importance of clarifying the treatment of the spin connection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the treatment of the spin connection or the specifics of the variation process. Multiple competing views remain regarding how to approach the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the dependence of the spin connection on the vierbein and the implications of different treatments of the spin connection in the variation process.

pleasehelpmeno
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Hi
Can anyone explain how to vary an action e.g [itex]\int d^4 x e [\frac{1}{2}\partial_{\mu}\partial^{\mu} \phi + i\bar{\psi}\bar{\gamma}^{\mu}D_{\mu}\psi][/itex] w.r.t the vierbein?

Where e here is the determinant of the vierbein, and [itex]D_{\mu}[/itex] is = to [itex]\partial_\mu + \frac{1}{4}\gamma_{\alpha \beta} \omega_{\mu}^{\alpha \beta}[/itex]
 
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For the first term, I think you actually mean ##\partial_\mu \phi \partial^\mu \phi = g^{\mu\nu} \partial_\mu \phi \partial_\nu \phi##. So remember that the metric is made of vierbeins.

For the second term, are you assuming the spin connection is a function of the vierbein, or is it an independent field? If the spin connection depends on the vierbein, then write down the expression for it in terms of the vierbein, and vary that.

For the determinant, same technique applies as for varying the metric determinant.
 
I know that the answer should be [itex]T^{\mu \nu} = i/2 [\bar{\psi}\bar{\gamma}(\mu D_\nu)\psi - \bar{\psi}D(\mu \bar{\gamma}_\nu)\psi[/itex], but i just don't see why
 
I don't have the time to do the calculation, but you should check Van Proeyen's book on SUGRA. He treats in great detail these kind of calculations. Also, you didn't answer Ben's question: do you treat the spin connection as dependent field? The different treatments (first, second, one and a half order) can be confusing.
 

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