What is the Significance of Substituting p for -p in the Klein-Gordon Equation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the substitution of momentum variables in the context of the Klein-Gordon equation, specifically the implications of substituting \(\vec{p}\) with \(-\vec{p}\) in the integral representation of the field operator \(\phi(x)\). The scope includes theoretical aspects of quantum field theory and mathematical reasoning related to integral transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the validity of substituting \(\vec{p}\) for \(-\vec{p}\) and whether this should introduce a negative sign due to the Jacobi determinant.
  • Another participant clarifies that the transformation theorem for integrals involves the modulus of the Jacobian, which means the sign does not affect the integral when substituting \(\vec{p}\) with \(-\vec{p}\).
  • A third participant notes that changing the integration limits in three integrals results in another sign change, suggesting that this aspect must also be considered.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the substitution and the role of the Jacobian in the transformation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the impact of these transformations on the overall expression.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the Jacobian and the treatment of integration limits, which are not fully explored in the discussion.

M. Kohlhaas
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I'm just reading the schroeder/peskin introduction to quantum field theory. On Page 21 there is the equation

\phi(x)=\int\frac{d^3 p}{(2\pi)^3}\frac{1}{ \sqrt{2\omega_{\vec{p}}} } <br /> <br /> (a_{\vec{p}} e^{i \vec{p} \cdot \vec{x}}<br /> <br /> +a^{+}_{\vec{p}} e^{-i \vec{p} \cdot \vec{x}}<br /> )

and in the next step:

\phi(x)=\int\frac{d^3 p}{(2\pi)^3}\frac{1}{ \sqrt{2\omega_{\vec{p}}} } <br /> <br /> (a_{\vec{p}} <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> +a^{+}_{\vec{-p}}<br /> )e^{i \vec{p} \cdot \vec{x}}

with \omega_{\vec{p}}=\sqrt{|\vec{p}|^2+m^2}

I don't understand that. When I substitute \vec{p} for -\vec{p} shouldn't the Jacobi-determinant then put a minus sign such that:

\phi(x)=\int\frac{d^3 p}{(2\pi)^3}\frac{1}{ \sqrt{2\omega_{\vec{p}}} } <br /> <br /> (a_{\vec{p}} <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> -a^{+}_{\vec{-p}}<br /> )e^{i \vec{p} \cdot \vec{x}}

What's wrong with me?
 
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M. Kohlhaas said:
I don't understand that. When I substitute \vec{p} for -\vec{p} shouldn't the Jacobi-determinant then put a minus sign

The transformation theorem for integrals involves the modulus of the jacobian, not the jacobian itself, so the sign drops out. E.g. if you think of a single integral as the area under a curve, then it doesn't make a difference when you mirror the function at the vertical axis (as long as you keep the same orientation for the integration "volume").
 
Remember that you also need to change integration limits in 3 integrals. This leads to another change of the total sign.

Eugene.
 
Thanks. :smile:
 

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