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Quantum Field Theory Exercise Sheet No. 1: Exercise 1.1: Equation of Motion For Green's Function

This document provides exercises related to quantum field theory. It includes: 1) Deriving the equation of motion for the Green's function in real scalar field theory, and repeating the calculation in Euclidean space. 2) Evaluating the quantum statistical partition function using a functional integral approach, and applying this to the harmonic oscillator and free real scalar field. 3) Specifying the exercise groups, tutors, times, and locations for discussion of the exercises.

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julian fischer
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46 views

Quantum Field Theory Exercise Sheet No. 1: Exercise 1.1: Equation of Motion For Green's Function

This document provides exercises related to quantum field theory. It includes: 1) Deriving the equation of motion for the Green's function in real scalar field theory, and repeating the calculation in Euclidean space. 2) Evaluating the quantum statistical partition function using a functional integral approach, and applying this to the harmonic oscillator and free real scalar field. 3) Specifying the exercise groups, tutors, times, and locations for discussion of the exercises.

Uploaded by

julian fischer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Quantum Field Theory

Winter Term 2015/2016


Prof. Dr. Nora Brambilla Exercise Sheet No. 1
Assigned on October 20th 2015
Discussion October 27th, October 29th 2015
Dr. J. Tarrus, Dr. J. Segovia, Dr. J. Komijani, S. Biondini

Exercise 1.1: Equation of motion for Greens function


Consider a theory of the real scalar field defined by the Lagrangian

L = 12 V () (1)

with the following classical equation of motion

2(x) + V 0 ((x)) = 0, (2)

where V 0 ((x)) stands for V ((x))


(x)
and 2 means .

a) Derive the equation of motion for the Greens function

h0|T V 0 ((x))(y)|0i
2x G (x, y) =
(2)
i (4) (x y) (3)
h0|0i
   
1 0 1 1
= V Z[J] i (4) (x y) (4)

Z0 i J(x) i J(y) J=0

(Hint: Use the invariance of the generating functional under an infinitesimal change
of variables (x) (x) + f (x))

b) Repeat the above computation in the Euclidean space to obtain the equation of motion
for the Euclidean Greens function.

Exercise 1.2: Quantum statistical partition function


Consider the quantum statistical partition function

Z = eTr(H) , = 1/(kT ). (5)

a) Evaluate Z using the same strategy as for evaluating the matrix elements of eiHt in
terms of functional integrals (see e.g. Chapter 9.1 in An Introduction to Quantum
Field Theory by Peskin and Schroeder). Show that one finds a functional integral over
periodic functions defined on a domain of length in the Euclidean time direction.
Note that LE appears in the weight.

1
b) Exemplify how to calculate this trace from the functional integral by using Fourier
decomposition of the path that is periodic in Euclidean time. First use the harmonic
oscillator of unit mass with
1
LE = (q 2 + 2 q 2 ). (6)
2

c) Now find a very quick way to generalize the result to the free real scalar field in
Euclidean space with
1 1
LE = gE E, E, + m2 2 , gE = E . (7)
2 2
(Hint: Use the fact that the partition function can be formally written as a determinant
of a differential operator and compare to part b) to read off the result.)

Exercise groups: time and locations

Group Tutor Time Room


1 Jorge Segovia Tuesday October 27th, 10-12 PH 3344
2 Javad Komijani Thursday October 29th, 10-12 PH 3344

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