The Divergence of the Klein-Gordon Energy-Momentum Tensor

  • #1
GooberGunter
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Homework Statement
Prove that the Energy-Momentum Tensor for the Klein-Gordon Equation does not diverge
$$\partial_\mu T^{\mu\nu}=0$$
Relevant Equations
$$T^{μν}=∂^μϕ∂^νϕ−η^{μν}L$$
$$L=\frac{1}{2}\partial^2 \phi - \frac{1}{2}m^2 \phi^2$$
I've tried this problem so, so, so so so many times. Given the equations above, the proof starts easily enough:
$$\partial_\mu T^{\mu\nu}=\partial_\mu (∂^μ ϕ∂^ν ϕ)-\eta^{\mu\nu}\partial_\mu[\frac{1}{2}∂^2ϕ−\frac{1}{2}m^2ϕ^2]$$
apply product rule to all terms
$$=\partial^\nu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\mu \phi + \partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \eta^{\mu\nu}[\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\sigma \phi + \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial_\sigma \phi)-\frac{1}{2}m^2\partial_\mu(\phi^2)]$$
And the equation of motion starts to appear:
$$=\partial^\nu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\mu \phi + \eta^{\mu\nu}(m^2 \phi \partial_\mu \phi) +\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \eta^{\mu\nu}\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\sigma \phi + \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial_\sigma \phi)$$
Finally we can eliminate 2 of the 5 terms
$$=\partial^\nu \phi \cdot (\partial_\mu \partial^\mu \phi + m^2 \phi) +\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \eta^{\mu\nu}\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\sigma \phi+ \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial_\sigma \phi)$$
$$=\partial^\nu \phi[0] +\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \eta^{\mu\nu}\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\sigma \phi + \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial_\sigma \phi)$$

This is the last step I arrive at
$$=\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \eta^{\mu\nu}\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\sigma \phi + \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial_\sigma \phi)$$
Every solution I've found online has an error or skips this crucial step.

This solutions manual from a UMD course skips a step between (31) and (32) and too readily removes the 1/2 coefficient in (31). I'm sure its a typo.
This solution from another post just raises the index of the first derivative and lowers the sigma index in the second derivative, but the closest I can replicate is:

$$=\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \frac{1}{2}(\eta^{\mu\nu} \delta^{\sigma}_\nu\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\sigma \phi + \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \eta^{\mu\nu} \delta^{\sigma}_\nu \partial_\sigma \phi)$$
$$=\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \frac{1}{2}(\partial^\nu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu\phi + \partial^\nu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi)$$

Depending on what you decide to contract, you end up with 2 equations that don't resolve to 0.
$$\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi -\partial^\nu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu\phi$$
$$\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\mu \phi$$

My understanding of tensor notation is still a little shaky, I only studied a chapter from a mathematical methods textbook. Where did I go wrong? Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
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  • #2
GooberGunter said:
This is the last step I arrive at
$$=\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi - \eta^{\mu\nu}\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\sigma \phi + \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial_\sigma \phi)$$​
I think this is good so far.

Show that the first term may be written $$\partial^\mu \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\nu \phi =\partial_\mu \phi \cdot \partial^\mu \partial^\nu \phi =\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial^\sigma \partial^\nu \phi$$

Show that the second term may be written $$ \eta^{\mu\nu}\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial^\sigma \phi + \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial_\mu \partial_\sigma \phi) = \frac{1}{2}(\partial_\sigma \phi \cdot \partial^\nu \partial^\sigma \phi + \partial^\sigma \phi \cdot \partial^\nu \partial_\sigma \phi)$$ Then proceed onward.
 

FAQ: The Divergence of the Klein-Gordon Energy-Momentum Tensor

What is the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor?

The Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor is a mathematical object used in theoretical physics to describe the distribution of energy and momentum in a scalar field that satisfies the Klein-Gordon equation. It is analogous to the stress-energy tensor in general relativity but specifically tailored for the Klein-Gordon field.

Why is the divergence of the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor important?

The divergence of the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor is crucial because it relates to the conservation laws of energy and momentum in the context of the Klein-Gordon field. A zero divergence implies that energy and momentum are conserved quantities within the system described by the Klein-Gordon equation.

How is the divergence of the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor calculated?

The divergence of the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor is calculated using the covariant derivative in the context of the field equations. Mathematically, it involves taking the divergence of the tensor components and showing that this divergence equals zero, which aligns with the conservation laws.

What physical insights can be gained from studying the divergence of the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor?

Studying the divergence of the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor provides insights into how energy and momentum are distributed and conserved in a scalar field. It helps in understanding the dynamics of the field, interactions with other fields, and the propagation of energy and momentum through spacetime.

Are there any limitations or challenges associated with the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor?

One of the main challenges associated with the Klein-Gordon energy-momentum tensor is that it applies specifically to scalar fields, which limits its generalizability to other types of fields, such as vector or spinor fields. Additionally, in curved spacetime, the calculation and interpretation of the tensor can become more complex due to the influence of gravitational effects.

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