Why this expression is time-reversal odd?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the time-reversal properties of the expression involving the commutation relation of four-momenta, specifically the expression \([\slashed{P},\slashed{k}]\). Participants explore the implications of this expression being classified as time-reversal odd, examining the underlying mathematical and physical principles.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the definition of \(P\) and \(k\), suggesting they refer to momenta.
  • There is a discussion about the limitations of MathJax in rendering Feynman's slash notation, with suggestions for alternative representations.
  • One participant proposes that the presence of an imaginary unit \(i\) in the expression contributes to its time-reversal oddness.
  • Another participant argues that if \(A_4\) is T-odd, then \([\gamma \cdot P, \gamma \cdot k]\) must also be T-odd, raising questions about the implications of this relationship.
  • There is a contention regarding the transformation properties of the terms in \(\sigma_{\mu\nu}P^{\mu}k^{\nu}\), with differing views on whether certain components are T-even or T-odd.
  • Participants discuss the notation used in Peskin's work, expressing confusion over the time reversal operation and its representation in different gamma matrix forms.
  • Some participants seek clarification on the transformation of the equation and the reasoning behind its classification as T-odd.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the classification of certain terms as T-even or T-odd, and there is no consensus on the implications of the imaginary unit \(i\) in the expression. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the precise nature of the time-reversal properties involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the mathematical representations and the need for clarity in the definitions and transformations discussed. The discussion includes references to specific equations and concepts from literature, indicating a reliance on external sources for context.

Chenkb
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P and k are four-momentum of two particles.
I read in a paper which said that
[\slashed{P},\slashed{k}]=\slashed{P}\slashed{k} - \slashed{k}\slashed{P}
is time-reversal odd.
Why?
 
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could you please fix the Latex?
What is P and k? momenta?
 
... and please make a full citation of the paper.

Zz.
 
Unfortunately, MathJax does not support the "slashed" command from the amsmath package, which is used to implement Feynman's slash notation. Try

$$\left[\gamma \cdot P , \gamma \cdot k \right] = \gamma \cdot P \ \gamma \cdot k − \gamma \cdot k \ \gamma \cdot P, $$

where ## \gamma \cdot P = \gamma^\mu P_\mu##.

[edit]Or just use (the possible more useful in this case) ##\gamma^\mu P_\mu## and ##\gamma^\nu k_\nu##.[/edit]
 
Last edited:
Try [t e x]/ \!\!\!\! P[/ t e x]: / \!\!\!\! P
and [t e x]/ \!\!\! k[/ t e x]: / \!\!\! k
 
George Jones said:
Unfortunately, MathJax does not support the "slashed" command from the amsmath package, which is used to implement Feynman's slash notation. Try

$$\left[\gamma \cdot P , \gamma \cdot k \right] = \gamma \cdot P \ \gamma \cdot k − \gamma \cdot k \ \gamma \cdot P, $$

where ## \gamma \cdot P = \gamma^\mu P_\mu##.

[edit]Or just use (the possible more useful in this case) ##\gamma^\mu P_\mu## and ##\gamma^\nu k_\nu##.[/edit]

Thanks a lot for the texing.
 
*wrong answer*
Well, the reason why there is T-oddness I guess is because there is a i in front, making that term complex..
 
Last edited:
ChrisVer said:
Doesn't that say that A_{4} is T-odd? no the [P,k]

But ##\Phi(P,k,S|n)## on the left of the Eq. must be T-even according to it's physical meaning, so, if ##A_4## is T-odd, ##[\gamma \cdot P, \gamma \cdot k]## must be T-odd.
Actually, I think it is ##[P, k]## be T-odd that infers ##A_4## be T-odd, not the opposite, because ##A_4## is an unknown coefficient function.
So I wonder why.
Thanks a lot!
 
  • #10
lol, I changed my initial post because it was wrong, I guess that:
"Well, the reason why there is T-oddness I guess is because there is a i in front, making that term complex.."
is your answer...
 
  • #11
ChrisVer said:
lol, I changed my initial post because it was wrong, I guess that:
"Well, the reason why there is T-oddness I guess is because there is a i in front, making that term complex.."
is your answer...

Well, I think the ##i## in front is just for convenience. And the gamma matrices are not all real, for example, in Dirac representation, ##\gamma^2## is complex.
So, I think the problem is how does ##\left[\gamma \cdot P , \gamma \cdot k \right]##change under time reversal operation.

I know that, under time reversal, ##P=(P_0,\vec{P})##becomes ##(P_0,-\vec{P})##, and in QFT course I've learned that ##\gamma^{\mu}##becomes ##(-1)^{\mu}\gamma^{\mu}##(Peskin's book, Page71). But what about ##\left[\gamma \cdot P , \gamma \cdot k \right]##?
 
  • #12
Chenkb said:
Well, I think the ##i## in front is just for convenience.
No, it's not there just for convenience. It's there because i[γ·P, γ·K] = 2 σμν Pμ Kν. And if you look at the table on p.71 of Peskin, you'll see how σμν transforms.
 
  • #13
Bill_K said:
No, it's not there just for convenience. It's there because i[γ·P, γ·K] = 2 σμν Pμ Kν. And if you look at the table on p.71 of Peskin, you'll see how σμν transforms.

Year, but for the terms in ##\sigma_{\mu\nu}P^{\mu}k^{\nu}## like ##\sigma_{02}P_0k_2##, is T-even, because ##\sigma_{02}## odd, ##P_0## even, and ##k_2## odd.
Regards!
 
  • #14
Chenkb said:
Year, but for the terms in ##\sigma_{\mu\nu}P^{\mu}k^{\nu}## like ##\sigma_{02}P_0k_2##, is T-even, because ##\sigma_{02}## odd, ##P_0## even, and ##k_2## odd.
Regards!
No, σ02 is even. In the sum, σ0i is even, σjk is odd, P0 and K0 are even, while Pj and Kj are odd. All the terms in the sum σμνPμKν wind up transforming the same way, namely they are all odd.
 
  • #15
Bill_K said:
No, σ02 is even. In the sum, σ0i is even, σjk is odd, P0 and K0 are even, while Pj and Kj are odd. All the terms in the sum σμνPμKν wind up transforming the same way, namely they are all odd.

Could you please explain why ##\sigma_{0i}## is T-even? isn't it ##-(-1)^{\mu}(-1)^{\nu}##?
 
  • #16
Chenkb said:
Could you please explain why ##\sigma_{0i}## is T-even? isn't it ##-(-1)^{\mu}(-1)^{\nu}##?
Peskin uses a very strange notation here! :eek: He says "(-1)μ" is supposed to mean 1 for μ=0 and -1 for μ=1, 2, 3. In the table, for T we're given - (-1)0(-1)i, which is interpreted to mean (-1)(1)(-1) which is +1.

His derivation of the results in this table could use a little cleanup work too. In addition to complex conjugation ψ → ψ*, the time reversal operation includes a matrix acting on ψ. He says this matrix is γ1γ3, but the value actually depends on your choice of representation for the gamma matrices. He uses the Weyl representation Eq.(3.25), in which γ2 is imaginary and all the others real. In general, time reversal can be written ψ → Dψ* where D is a matrix having the property D-1γμD = γ'μ where γ'0 = - γ0 and γ'j = γj.
 
  • #17
Bill_K said:
Peskin uses a very strange notation here! :eek: He says "(-1)μ" is supposed to mean 1 for μ=0 and -1 for μ=1, 2, 3. In the table, for T we're given - (-1)0(-1)i, which is interpreted to mean (-1)(1)(-1) which is +1.

His derivation of the results in this table could use a little cleanup work too. In addition to complex conjugation ψ → ψ*, the time reversal operation includes a matrix acting on ψ. He says this matrix is γ1γ3, but the value actually depends on your choice of representation for the gamma matrices. He uses the Weyl representation Eq.(3.25), in which γ2 is imaginary and all the others real. In general, time reversal can be written ψ → Dψ* where D is a matrix having the property D-1γμD = γ'μ where γ'0 = - γ0 and γ'j = γj.

WOW!:thumbs: Many thanks, I will check it.
 
  • #18
Your looking for a transformation of the equation... yes? or, an explanation?
 
  • #19
M. Bachmeier said:
Your looking for a transformation of the equation... yes? or, an explanation?
Which do you think has not already been given?
 
  • #20
M. Bachmeier said:
Your looking for a transformation of the equation... yes? or, an explanation?

The transformation, why it's T-odd. And I think it is solved already.
 

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