Modern Physics: PHY 539 Spring Semester 2018

Assignment 1: Quantum Field Theory

Due Date: 6 Feb. 2018, 10 am

1. Show that xµ yµ is Lorentz invariant, where x and y are 4-vectors.

2. Show that the Lagrangian

1 1 1 1
L = (∂µ ϕ1 )2 + (∂µ ϕ2 )2 − mϕ21 − mϕ22 + g(ϕ21 + ϕ22 )2
2 2 2 2

is invariant under the SO(2) transformation,

    
ϕ′1 cos θ − sin θ ϕ
 =  1 ·
ϕ′2 sin θ cos θ ϕ2

3. In this question, we attempt to find the equation of motion of a particle inside a

constant scalar field ϕ(x). The Lagrangian is
( )√
L = − m + ϕ(x) 1 − ẋ2 .

This is a (1 + 1) dimensional classical field. Write down the equation of motion.

4. The matrix Λ represents the Lorentz transformation of an upstairs (contravariant)

vector whereas M represents the Lorentz transform of a downstairs (covariant) vector,
i.e.

(A′ )µ = Λµ ν Aν
and (A′ )µ = Mµ ν Aν

What is the relationship between Λ and M ?

5. Find an equation of motion for the Lagrangian

1 2 2 ∑
∞
1 µ
L = ∂ ϕ∂µ ϕ − m ϕ − λn ϕ2n+2 .
2 2 n=1

6. Show that the Lagrangian

1 1 1
L = (∂µ ϕ1 )2 + (∂µ ϕ2 )2 − m2 ϕ22 − g(ϕ21 + ϕ22 )2
2 2 2

1
Modern Physics: PHY 539 Spring Semester 2018

can be simplified when cast in terms of the complex scalar field

1
ψ = √ (ϕ1 + iϕ2 )
2
1
and ψ † = √ (ϕ1 − iϕ2 ).
2
The simplified form is

L = (∂ µ ψ † )(∂µ ψ) − m2 ψ † ψ − g ′ (ψ † ψ)2

upto some scale factor.

7. The Lagrangian of a free particle is given by:

1 1
L = (∂µ ϕ)2 − m2 ϕ2 .
2 2

(a) Find the canonical momentum

∂L
π=
∂ ϕ̇

(b) Determine the Hamiltonian density.

(c) Defining

∂L
Πµ = ,
∂(∂µ ϕ)

what is Π◦ ?