Why doesn't one-photon-irreducible function have any pole at q^2=0?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter kof9595995
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Function Pole
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the absence of poles at q²=0 in the one-photon-irreducible function, denoted as \Pi^*_{\mu\nu}(q), as stated by Steven Weinberg in his QFT textbook. It is established that \Pi^*_{\mu\nu}(q) is derived from one-photon-irreducible graphs, which do not include external photon propagators. The reasoning provided indicates that while free photon propagators possess a pole at q=0, the integration over photon momentum in irreducible graphs eliminates this pole, thereby protecting the photon mass during renormalization.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Field Theory (QFT) principles
  • Familiarity with one-photon-irreducible graphs
  • Knowledge of photon propagators and their properties
  • Basic concepts of renormalization in particle physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of one-photon-irreducible functions in QFT
  • Learn about the role of integrals in momentum space in quantum graphs
  • Investigate the implications of photon mass protection during renormalization
  • Explore advanced topics in QFT related to radiative corrections
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, graduate students in quantum field theory, and researchers focusing on particle physics and renormalization techniques.

kof9595995
Messages
676
Reaction score
2
I'm reading the QFT textbook by Weinberg. In volume one chapter 10 page 451, at the lower part of the page he says,
\Pi^*_{\mu\nu}(q) receives contributions only from one-photon-irreducible graphs, it is expected not to have any pole at q^2=0
\Pi^*_{\mu\nu}(q) is the sum of all one-photon-irreducible graphs, with the two external photon propagators omitted, and q being the external photon momentum.

Weinberg states it within one sentence as if it's self-explanatory, but I cannot understand why it is true. Is there something simple I missed?

Cross-posted: why doesn't one-photon-irreducible function have any pole at q^2=0(stackexchange)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I guess the idea is the following: Free photon propagators have a pole at q=0 but in irreducible graphs, there are always integrals over the momentum of the photon propagators, so there is no pole left from the photon propagators.
 
I think the same, but this is still a bit speculative. After all, it's a infinite sum of almost arbitrarily complicated diagrams, and it won't be surprising if nasty stuff happens.
Weinberg uses this to argue photon mass is protected during renormalization, i.e. radiative corrections don't give photon a mass, so this is something important that I really wish to understand. Or is there some other way to show this?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
865
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K