Vertex Feynman Rule Derivations

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the vertex Feynman rules for interactions involving a field tensor, specifically the term \(\partial_\mu Z_\nu - \partial_\nu Z_\mu\). Participants clarify that both Z fields must be treated as separate entities, leading to the expression \(k_{\mu} \epsilon_{\nu} - k_{\nu} \epsilon_{\mu}\) after contraction. The final vertex factor is derived as \(2 \sigma_{\mu \nu} k^{\mu} \epsilon^{\nu}\), where \(\sigma_{\mu \nu} = \frac{i}{2} (\gamma_{\mu}\gamma_{\nu}-\gamma_{\nu}\gamma_{\mu})\). The discussion emphasizes the necessity of including polarization sums for bosons of spin greater than zero in the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Feynman rules and vertex factors in quantum field theory.
  • Familiarity with tensor calculus and index notation.
  • Knowledge of gamma matrices and their properties in particle physics.
  • Basic concepts of polarization vectors in quantum electrodynamics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Feynman rules for gauge bosons, focusing on the Z boson.
  • Learn about the properties and applications of gamma matrices in quantum field theory.
  • Research the process of polarization sums and averaging in scattering amplitudes.
  • Explore the implications of gauge choices on vertex factors and propagators.
USEFUL FOR

Particle physicists, quantum field theorists, and advanced students studying the interactions of gauge bosons and the derivation of Feynman rules.

Elwin.Martin
Messages
202
Reaction score
0
Alright, this is a pretty low level / silly question but I am having some issues.

I would like to get the vertex rule for an interaction that has a field tensor involved like this...
\partial_\mu Z_\nu -\partial_\nu Z_\mu
do I treat the two Z's as separate fields?

For a generic field term with a derivative \partial_\mu \varphi we pull out a k_\mu in momentum space...but I am just being stupid with these indices.

Advice, please?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The term is linear in Z's, so you have to include both.

Imagine an in Z state, then this would give you (up to factors of i and -1 ):

<br /> k_{\mu} \epsilon_{\nu} - k_{\nu} \epsilon_{\mu}<br />

after contraction with each term.
 
Hepth said:
The term is linear in Z's, so you have to include both.

Imagine an in Z state, then this would give you (up to factors of i and -1 ):

<br /> k_{\mu} \epsilon_{\nu} - k_{\nu} \epsilon_{\mu}<br />

after contraction with each term.

...huh? After contraction? We still have our indices?



So if I started with

\sigma_{\mu \nu} F^{\mu \nu}_Z
I should end with
\sigma_{\mu \nu} (k^{\mu} \epsilon^{\nu} - k^{\nu} \epsilon^{\mu}) <br />
where
<br /> \sigma_{\mu \nu} = \frac{i}{2} (\gamma_{\mu}\gamma_{\nu}-\gamma_{\nu}\gamma_{\mu})<br />
I'm not sure how to get rid of the polarization though :/

Is there some simple relationship with the gamma matrices I should know?
 
By "contraction" I meant contracting the field operators in the lagrangian with those in the in/out states.

What you have is right (up to factors of I, -1) , and can be simplified further due to the antisymmetric nature of each:

<br /> = \sigma_{\mu \nu} (k^{\mu} \epsilon^{\nu} - k^{\nu} \epsilon^{\mu}) \\<br /> = \sigma_{\mu \nu} k^{\mu} \epsilon^{\nu} - \sigma_{\mu \nu} k^{\nu} \epsilon^{\mu} \\<br /> = \sigma_{\mu \nu} k^{\mu} \epsilon^{\nu} + \sigma_{\nu \mu} k^{\nu} \epsilon^{\mu}<br />
Now relabel the 2nd term's indices to match the first (its ok since theyre all contracted)
<br /> = 2 \sigma_{\mu \nu} k^{\mu} \epsilon^{\nu}<br />

I'm not sure what you mean by getting rid of the polarization. It stays in there for vertices/feynman rules. If you have one in the in/out state you have to do polarization sums/averaging (remember: average over initial stats, sum over final).

So in short the answer is that you're probably just thinking about the indices wrong. Its OK to have a polarization (sorta required) if you have an ingoing/outgoing boson of spin>0.

So when you get to say, a vertex times a Z propagator times another vertex you just connect the propagator to the vertices' polarization vectors.
So:

<br /> (2 \sigma_{\mu \nu} k^{\mu}) \frac{-i (g^{\nu \alpha} - k^{\nu} k^{\alpha}/M_Z^2)}{k^2-M_Z^2} (2 \sigma_{\beta \alpha} k^{\beta})<br />

Up to factors of I and -1 that I may have missed (and sign convention on incoming/outgoign momenta) and your gauge choice.

You'll notice that the polarization sums for photons/Z/vector bosons are very similar to their propagators.
 
σμvFμvμv(∂μAv-∂vAμ)
μvμAvμAv(interchanging indices in second term)
=2σμvμAv
now to get vertex factor,substitute plane wave form and take out the factors already taken care by normalization and external lines.it is done for iL(LAGRANGIAN multiplied by i) so write the lagrangian and do like above you will get something like
-iσμvkv. Notice I don't differentiate between subscript and superscript.it is unnecessary for flat space.
edit:there should not be any polarization associated with it.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K