Mass Dimension of Fields (Momentum space)

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In summary, the mass dimension of fields in momentum space refers to the scaling behavior of field operators under changes in energy or momentum. It is crucial for understanding the renormalization properties of quantum field theories. Fields are characterized by specific mass dimensions that determine their transformation properties and interactions. In momentum space, the dimensions are derived from the relationship between fields and their corresponding momenta, impacting how these fields behave under Lorentz transformations and ensuring consistency in the theory's formulation. The mass dimension is fundamental in classifying fields as scalar, vector, or tensor and plays a vital role in the construction of effective field theories.
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thatboi
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Hi all,
We know from requiring the action be invariant that the mass-dimension of a scalar field ##\phi## is ##\frac{d-2}{2}## where ##d## is the space-time dimension. But what is the mass-dimension of ##\phi(p)##? I ask because free-theory 2-pt correlation function (in Euclidean space) is written as ##\langle\phi(p)\phi(q)\rangle = (2\pi)^{d}\delta^{d}(p+q)\frac{1}{p^{2}+m^{2}}##. The dirac delta seems to contribute a mass dimension ##-d## and then the fractional component contributes another mass-dimension of ##-2##? I'm not sure if this makes sense.

Thanks.
 
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Indeed, and therefore …

Another way of deriving it is to look at the action expressed in the momentum variables or just the definition of ##\phi(p)## in terms of ##\phi(x)##.
 
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Orodruin said:
Indeed, and therefore …

Another way of deriving it is to look at the action expressed in the momentum variables or just the definition of ##\phi(p)## in terms of ##\phi(x)##.
Ah, so the mass dimension is ##\frac{-d-2}{2}##. The fourier transform is indeed significantly simpler to see this.
 

FAQ: Mass Dimension of Fields (Momentum space)

What is the mass dimension of a field in momentum space?

The mass dimension of a field in momentum space is determined by the requirement that the action of the field be dimensionless in natural units (where ħ = c = 1). For a scalar field, the mass dimension is typically 1, for a fermionic field (like the Dirac field), it is 3/2, and for a gauge field, it is 1.

How is the mass dimension of a field related to its scaling properties?

The mass dimension of a field dictates how the field scales under a rescaling of coordinates. If a field φ has a mass dimension d, then under the transformation x → λx, the field scales as φ → λ^(-d)φ. This scaling behavior ensures that the action, which involves integrals over spacetime, remains invariant under such transformations.

Why is the concept of mass dimension important in quantum field theory?

The mass dimension is crucial in quantum field theory because it helps determine the renormalizability of the theory. Interactions with coupling constants that have positive or zero mass dimension are typically renormalizable, while those with negative mass dimension are non-renormalizable and require an infinite number of counterterms to cancel divergences.

How do you determine the mass dimension of composite operators?

The mass dimension of composite operators is determined by summing the mass dimensions of the constituent fields and derivatives. For example, if we have a composite operator formed by a product of two scalar fields φ and a derivative ∂μ, the mass dimension would be the sum of the mass dimensions of φ (which is 1) and ∂μ (which is 1), giving a total mass dimension of 3.

What is the significance of the mass dimension in effective field theories?

In effective field theories, the mass dimension helps in organizing the terms in the Lagrangian by their importance at low energies. Operators with lower mass dimensions are more relevant at low energies, while those with higher mass dimensions are suppressed by powers of the energy scale. This hierarchy allows physicists to systematically include the most important interactions when constructing an effective theory.

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