Calculating Self-Energy Correction to Electron Propagator

In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of the self energy correction to the electron propagator using the approach of introducing a photon mass \mu to deal with IR divergences. This leads to an integral, which after some work, results in a logarithmic term. The speaker is unsure of how the equation was obtained and is seeking clarification on how to extract the divergence from the second term in the integral. The IR divergence occurs when \beta approaches 1, so to compute it, \beta can be set to 1 everywhere except for the 1-\beta terms, which are problematic when \mu=0.
  • #1
evilcman
41
2
If one wants, to calculate the self energy correction to the electron propagator(using the approach where one introduces a photon mass [tex]\mu[/tex] to deal with IR divergences), one gets after some work an integral like this (this is from the Itzykson Zuber book equ. 7-34):

[tex]
\int_ 0 ^ 1 d\beta \beta \left[ ln \left( \frac{\beta \Lambda^2}{(1-\beta)^2m^2} \right) - \frac{2(2-\beta)(1-\beta)}{(1-\beta)^2+\beta \frac{\mu^2}{m^2}} \right] = \frac{1}{2} ln \left( \frac{\Lambda^2}{m^2}\right) + ln \left( \frac{\mu^2}{m^2}\right) + \frac{9}{4} + O\left(\frac{\mu}{m}\right)
[/tex]

What I don't know is how this equation was obtained, that is how can I extract the divergence from the second term in the integral, which gave the [tex] ln \left( \mu^2 / m^2\right) [/tex] term. I would appreciate it if someone told me how a calculation like this goes.
 
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  • #2
The IR divergence is for [itex]\beta\rightarrow 1[/itex], so to compute the divergence we can set [itex]\beta=1[/itex] everywhere except for the [itex]1-\beta[/itex] terms, which are the problem when [itex]\mu=0[/itex]. If we look at that second term, it is straightforward to show (let [itex]u=1-\beta[/itex]) that this integral gives you a logarithm.
 

FAQ: Calculating Self-Energy Correction to Electron Propagator

1. What is the concept of self-energy correction in electron propagator calculations?

The self-energy correction is a term used in quantum mechanics to account for the interaction between an electron and its own electric field. In electron propagator calculations, it is necessary to include this correction to accurately describe the behavior of the electron.

2. How is the self-energy correction calculated in electron propagator calculations?

The self-energy correction is calculated using perturbation theory, which involves expanding the energy of the electron as a series of terms. The first-order term is the kinetic energy of the electron, and the second-order term is the electron's interaction with its electric field. The self-energy correction is then computed as the difference between the exact energy and the sum of these two terms.

3. Why is the self-energy correction important in electron propagator calculations?

The self-energy correction is important because it accounts for the electron's interaction with its own electric field, which can significantly affect the energy and behavior of the electron. Neglecting this correction can lead to inaccurate or incomplete results in electron propagator calculations.

4. How does the self-energy correction affect the electron propagator function?

The self-energy correction alters the propagator function by modifying the energy of the electron. This, in turn, affects the probability amplitude of the electron at different positions and times, and ultimately impacts the overall behavior of the electron.

5. Can the self-energy correction be applied to other particles besides electrons?

Yes, the concept of self-energy correction can be applied to other particles in quantum mechanics, such as protons and neutrons. In these cases, it is used to account for the strong nuclear force and the interaction between the particle and its own field.

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