Homework Assingment #6

Physics 613
Due March 20, 2007

1. Problem 8.2 from the textbook.

Show that hpf |jem

(x)|pi i = e(pi + pf ) ei(pi pf )x

 
j (x) = ie ( )

d3~k
Z h i
= (k)eikx + b (k)eikx
a
(2)3 2

d3~k 0
Z h i
= b(k 0 )eik0 x + a 0
(k 0 )eik x
(2)3 2 0

d3~k
Z h i

= (ik ) a(k)eikx b (k)eikx
(2)3 2

d3~k 0
Z h i
0 0
= (ik 0 ) b(k 0 )eik x a
(k 0 )eik x
(2)3 2 0

d3~k d3~k 0 
Z Z h ih i
0 0
j (x) = ie (ik ) b(k 0 )eik x + a (k 0 )eik x a (k)eikx b (k)eikx
(2)6 2 0

h 0 0
ih i
(ik 0 ) b(k 0 )eik x a (k 0 )eik x a (k)eikx + b (k)eikx

d3~k d3~k 0 h
Z Z
= ie
(2)6 2 0
 0 0 0 0

(ik ) b(k 0 )
a(k)ei(k +k)x b(k 0 )b (k)ei(k k)x + a
(k 0 ) (k 0 )b (k)ei(k +k)x
a(k)ei(k k)x a

 0 0 0 0
i
(ik 0 ) b(k 0 )
a(k)ei(k +k)x + b(k 0 )b (k)ei(k k)x a
(k 0 ) (k 0 )b (k)ei(k +k)x
a(k)ei(k k)x + a

d3~k d3~k 0
Z Z h  
0 0
= ie (i) (k k 0 ) b(k 0 )a(k)ei(k +k)x a (k 0 )b (k)ei(k +k)x
(2)6 2 0
 0 0
i
+(k + k 0 ) a a(k)ei(k k)x + b(k 0 )b (k)ei(k k)x
(k 0 )
 The first two terms will give an odd number of b or b operators when we take

a (pi )|0i
a(pf )j (x)
hpf |j (x)|pi i = 2Ef 2Ei h0|
p

and so will give zero. Dropping these terms we have for the effective j (x)

d3~k d3~k 0
Z Z   0
(k + k 0 ) a a(k) + b (k 0 )b(k) ei(k k)x
(k 0 )
p
e Ef Ei
6
(2) 0

where in the last term Ive used normal-ordering and also exchanged the definitions of k and k 0 .

d3~k d3~k 0
Z Z  
0
hpf |j (x)|pi i = e Ef Ei (k + k 0 ) ei(k k)x h0| a(k) + b (k 0 )b(k) a
(k 0 ) (pi )|0i
p
a(pf ) a
(2)6 0

Since b(k) commutes with a

(pi ) and b(k)|0i = 0 we have

d3~k d3~k 0
Z Z
0
hpf |j (x)|pi i = e Ef Ei (k + k 0 ) ei(k k)x h0| a (k 0 ) a (pi )|0i
p
a(pf ) a(k)
(2)6 0

Now use Wicks Theorem

h0| a (k 0 )
a(pf ) a (pi )|0i = h0|
a(k) a (k 0 )|0i h0|
a(pf ) a (pi )|0i
a(k)

+ h0| a (k 0 )
a(k)|0i h0|
a(pf ) a (pi )|0i + h0| a (pi )|0i h0|
a(pf ) a (k 0 )
a(k)|0i

= h0| a (k 0 )
a(pf ) a(k) pf ~k 0 ) 3 (~k p~i )
a (pi )|0i = (2)6 3 (~

d3~k d3~k 0
Z Z
0
hpf |j (x)|pi i = e Ef Ei pf ~k 0 ) 3 (~k p~i )
(k + k 0 ) ei(k k)x 3 (~
p

0

d3~k
Z
(k + pf ) ei(pf k)x 3 (~k p~i )
p
= e E f Ei p
Ef

= e(pi + pf ) ei(pi pf )x
q
Note that is constrained by = |~k 2 + m2 . So that when the delta function gives,
for example ~k = p~i , we automatically get = Ei .
2. Exercise from Appendix E of textbook.

Use the property

X 1
(f (x)) = (x ai )
i
|df /dx|x = ai

where ai are the roots of f (x) = 0, to show that

Z Z 3
d p
d4 p (p2 m2 )(p0 ) =
2E
where the -function is defined as

0 for x < 0
(x) =
1 for x > 0

and where
p2 = (p0 )2 |~
p|2 p|2 + m2 )1/2
and E = +(|~

3
This relation shows that the expression d2Ep is Lorentz invariant since, on the left-hand side,
d4 p and (p2 m2 ) are invariant, while (p0 ) depends only on the sign of p0 , which cannot be
changed by a proper Lorentz transformationthat is, one that does not reverse the sense of
time.

Z Z Z
d4 p (p2 m2 )(p0 ) = d3 p~ dp0 (p0 )2 |~
p|2 m2 (p0 )

"
#



(p0 (|~p|2 + m2 )1/2 (p0 + (|~
p|2 + m2 )1/2
Z Z
3 0
= d p~ dp +   (p0 )
p|2 + m2 )1/2
2(|~ p|2 + m2 )1/2 
2(|~

Z
(p0 (|~p|2 + m2 )1/2 d3 p~
Z Z Z 3
3 0 d p~
= d p~ dp 2 2 1/2
= 2 2 1/2
=
0 p| + m )
2(|~ p| + m )
2(|~ 2E
3. Problem 6.9 from the textbook.

a) In both the CM and laboratory frames, verify that the inident flux factor satisfies the
equation
1/2
4E1 E2 |~v | = 4 (p1 p2 )2 m21 m22


In the lab frame: p1 = (E1 , p~1 ) p2 = (m2 , 0) (p1 p2 )2 = (E1 m2 )2

1/2
1/2
1/2
4 (p1 p2 )2 m21 m22 = 4 E12 m22 m21 m22 = 4 E12 m21

p1 |m2 = 4E1 |~v |E2
m2 = 4|~

2
s m21 m22

In the CM frame: p1 = (E1 , p~) p2 = (E2 , ~
p) (p1 p2 )2 =
2

 
|~
p| |~
p|
4E1 E2 |~v | = 4E1 E2 (|~v1 | + |~v2 |) = 4E1 E2 + p|(E1 + E2 ) = 4|~
= 4|~ p| s
E1 E2

Now lets find out what |~

p| is.

s = (E1 + E2 )2 = E12 + E22 + 2E1 E2

s m22 = E12 + (E22 m22 ) + 2E1 E2 = E12 + |~

p|2 + 2E1 E2

s m22 + m21 = E12 + (|~
p|2 + m21 ) + 2E1 E2 = 2E1 (E1 + E2 ) = 2E1 s

s + m21 m22 s + m22 m21

E1 = E2 =
2 s 2 s

2
2
2 s + m21 m22 s + m21 m22 4sm21
|~
p| = E12 m21 = m21 =
4s 4s

In the numerator we can interchange s and m22

2 2
s m21 m22 4m21 m22
2 (p1 p2 ) m21 m22
|~
p| = =
4s s
1/2
p| s = 4 (p1 p2 )2 m21 m22

4E1 E2 |~v | = 4|~
 b) Using s = (p1 + p2 )2 , show that

4 (p1 p2 )2 m21 m22 = s (m1 + m2 )2 s (m1 m2 )2

    

2
s m21 m22

(p1 p2 )2 =
2

4 (p1 p2 )2 m21 m22 = (s m21 m22 )2 4m21 m22

 

= (s m21 m22 2m1 m2 )(s m21 m22 + 2m1 m2 ) = s (m1 + m2 )2 s (m1 m2 )2

  

4. Show that for s >> ma , mb the differential cross section for scattering of charged scalar a
with charged scalar b in the CM frame is
2
2 3 + cos
 
d 
=
d CM 4s 1 cos

2
2 (s u)2
 
d  1 4
= 2
(s u)2 =
d CM
 64 s t 4s t2

In CM with s >> ma , mb : p|2
s 4|~ p|2 (1 cos )
t 2|~ p|2 (1 + cos )
u 2|~

2 2 2
p|2 + 2|~
2 4|~ p|2 (1 + cos ) 2 2 + 1 + cos 2 3 + cos
  
d 
= 2 = =
d CM 4s (2|~p|2 (1 cos )) 4s 1 cos 4s 1 cos
5. Problem 8.15 from the textbook.

Check the gauge invariance of Me given by:

(s) (u) (/
p+k / + m)
Me = Me + Me = e2  (k 0 , 0 ) (k, )
u(p0 , s0 ) u(p, s)
(p + k)2 m2

p /k 0 + m)
(/
e2  (k 0 , 0 ) (k, )
u(p0 , s0 ) u(p, s)
(p k 0 )2 m2

by showing that if  is replaced by k , or  by k0 the result is zero.

Replace  (k, ) with k

p /k 0 + m)
 
(/
p+k / + m) 0 0 (/
Me = e2  (k 0 , 0 ) k u
(p0 , s0 ) u(p, s) + k u
(p , s ) u(p, s)
(p + k)2 m2 (p k 0 )2 m2

k /p0 + m)(/ p /k 0 + m)
 
(/
p+k
/ + m)(/k + /p m) (/
Me = e2  (k 0 , 0 )
u(p0 , s0 ) + u(p, s)
(p + k)2 m2 (p k 0 )2 m2

Using k p0 = k 0 p

k /p0 + m)(/ p /k 0 + m)
 
(/
p+k
/ + m)(/k + /p m) (/
Me = e2  (k 0 , 0 )
u(p0 , s0 ) + u(p, s)
(p + k)2 m2 (p k 0 )2 m2

k 0 /p + m)(/ p /k 0 + m)
 
(/
p+k
/ + m)(/k + /p m) (/
= e2  (k 0 , 0 )
u(p0 , s0 ) + u(p, s)
(p + k)2 m2 (p k 0 )2 m2

p /k 0 m)(/ p /k 0 + m)
 
(/
p+k
/ + m)(/k + /p m) (/
= e2  (k 0 , 0 )
u(p0 , s0 ) u(p, s)
(p + k)2 m2 (p k 0 )2 m2

2 2
(p k 0 )2 m2
 
(p + k) m
= e2  (k 0 , 0 )
u(p0 , s0 ) u(p, s)
(p + k)2 m2 (p k 0 )2 m2

= e2  (k 0 , 0 )
u(p0 , s0 ) [ ] u(p, s) = 0
6. Problem 8.16 from the textbook.

(a) The spin-averaged squared amplitude for lowest-order electron Compton scattering con-
tains the interference term
(s) (u)
X
Me Me
,0 ,s,s0
where (s) and (u) refer to the s- and u-channel processes. Derive an expression for this
term and prove that it is, in fact, zero. [Hint: use the relations
/
a/b = 4a b and /a/b/c = 2/
c/b/a

(s) (u)
X
Me Me
,0 ,s,s0

e4 X
= 0 0 0
   u p + /k + m) u u
(/ p /k 0 + m) u0
(/
(s m2 )(u m2 )
,0 ,s,s0

e4 X
= 0 (/
u / + m) u u
p+k p /k 0 + m) u0
(/
(s m2 )(u m2 )
s,s0

e4
= p0 + m) (/
Tr [(/ / + m) (/
p+k p /k 0 + m) ]
p + m) (/
(s m2 )(u m2 )

Lets work in the ultra-relativisitc limit m0 and focus on the trace.

p0 (/
Tr [ / k ) /
p+/ p /k 0 )] = Tr [2(/
p (/ p + /k ) /p0 /p (/
p /k 0 )]

= 8(p p0 )Tr [(/

p+/ p /k 0 )] = 8(p p0 )Tr [/
k )(/ p/p /p/k 0 + /k /p /k /k 0 ]

= 32(p p0 ) [(p p) (p k 0 ) + (k p) (k k 0 )]

= 32(p p0 ) [(p k 0 ) (k p) + (k k 0 )] = 32(p p0 ) [(k p0 ) (k p) + (k k 0 )]

= 32(p p0 ) [k (p0 p + k 0 )] = 32(p p0 )(k k) = 0

(u) (u) u
Me Me is given by 2e4
P
(b) Explain why the term ,0 ,s,s0 s with s and u inter-
changed.

This is simply a crossing argument similar to the one we used in lecture in going from
electron-muon scattering (t-channel) to electron-positron annihilation to a
muon - antimuon pair(s-channel). Here when we rotate the Feynman diagram
from s-channel to u-channel the roles of s and u are interchanged so that
u s
2e4 for the s-channel process goes to 2e4 for the u-channel process.
s u
7. Problem 8.17 from the textbook.

Recalculate the interference term of problem 6(a) above for the case k 2 = Q2 and hence
verify that the spin-averaged squared amplitude for the virtual Compton process is

2Q2 t
 
u s
2e4 +
s u su

From the textbook, page 236, we know that the s-channel process gives 2e2 u/s. By crossing,
the u-channel process gives 2e2 s/u. In problem 6, we found that s-u interference gives zero if
we have a real photon, k 2 = 0. Now, for k 2 = Q2 go back to the last line in the solution for
problem 6a and set (k k) = Q2 .

1 X (s) (u) 8e4

Me Me = (p p0 )(k k)
4 su
,0 ,s,s0

8e4 8e4 2Q2 t

   
t
= (p p0 )Q2 = Q2 = 2e4
su su 2 su

So taking into account all terms

2Q2 t
 
1 X (s) (s)
X (u) (u)
X (s) (u) u s
Me Me + Me Me + Me Me = 2e4 +
4 0 0 0 0 0 0
s u su
, ,s,s , ,s,s , ,s,s
8. Problem 8.18a from the textbook.

Show that the cross section for Rutherford scattering of an electron off of a point, spin-1/2
nucleus is
2 Z 2 cos2 (/2) q 2 tan2 (/2)
  
d 
= 1
d lab 4|~k|2 sin4 (/2) 2M 2

!
d 1 1 1 XX 2
= |Msr;s0 r0 |
dt 64 (p1 p2 )2 m21 m22 4 s,r 0 0
sr

For Rutherford scattering, work in lab frame with m  k  M |~k 0 | |~k|.

|~k|2
dt d (pa pb )2 m2 M 2 |~k|2 M 2 q 2 2|~k|2 (1 cos ) = 4|~k|2 sin2 (/2)

 !
d  1 1 XX 2
= |Msr;s0 r0 |
d lab
 64 2 M 2 4 s,r 0 0
sr

2
2 Z 2

1 4Z
= L M = L M
64 2 M 2 q2 2 ~ 4 4
64M |k| sin (/2)

L M
eff
= 2k 0 k + 2k 0 k + q 2 g 4 p p + q 2 g
  

= 8(k 0 p)(k p) + 8(k 0 p)(k p) + 4q 2 M 2 + 2q 2 (k 0 k) + 2q 2 (k 0 k) + q 4 g g

Using 2k k 0 q 2 = 4|~k|2 sin2 (/2) and g g = 4.

L M
eff
= 16(k 0 p)(k p) + 4q 2 M 2 + 2q 4

= 16|~k|2 M 2 16|~k|2 sin2 (/2)M 2 8|~k|2 sin2 (/2)q 2

q2
 
~ 2 2 2
= 16|k| M 1 sin (/2) 2
sin (/2)
2M 2

q2
 
= 16|~k|2 M 2 cos2 (/2) 1 tan2
(/2)
2M 2

2 Z 2 cos2 (/2) q 2 tan2 (/2)

  
d 
= 1
d lab 4|~k|2 sin4 (/2) 2M 2
9. Prove the following gamma matrix identities and trace theorems.

+ = 2g
This is the fundamental anti-commutation relation that the gamma matrices must satisfy.

/
a/ a = a b ( + ) = 2a b g = 2a b
b + b//

= g = 12 g ( + ) = 21 g 2g = g g = 4

= (2g ) = 2 = 2 4 = 2

a = a = 2a = 2/
/ a

Tr(/a1 / an 5 5 )
a1 /
an ) = Tr(/ commute leftmost 5 through to the left

= (1)n Tr( 5 / an 5 )
a1 / use Tr(AB) = Tr(BA)

an ) = (1)n Tr(/a1 /an 5 5 ) = (1)n Tr(/a1 /an ) = 0

Tr(/a1 / (if n odd)

Tr(I) = 4 By inspection.

1
Tr( ) = 2 [Tr( ) + Tr( )] = 12 Tr( + ) = 12 2g Tr(I) = 4g

b) = a b Tr( ) = 4a b g = 4a b
Tr(/a/


Tr( ) = Tr (2g ) = 2g Tr( ) Tr( )

= 2g Tr( ) 2g Tr( ) Tr( )

 

= 2g Tr( ) 2g Tr( ) 2g Tr( ) Tr( )

 

= 8g g 8g g + 8g g Tr( )

= 8g g 8g g + 8g g Tr( )

2Tr( ) = 8g g 8g g + 8g g

Tr( ) = 4g g 4g g + 4g g

Tr(/a/
b/d) = a b c d Tr( ) = a b c d (4g g 4g g + 4g g )
c/

= 4 ((a b)(c d) (a c)(b d) + (a d)(b c))