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PHASM/G 442: 2013: Problem Sheet 2: Please Return To DR Ryan Nichol at The November 14

This document contains 7 problems related to particle physics and quantum mechanics. Problem 1 asks to derive an expression for the kinetic energy of a particle resulting from the decay of another particle. Problem 2 asks to show an identity involving Mandelstam variables in particle scattering. Problem 3 provides definitions of Dirac spinor solutions and asks to derive normalization and completeness relations.

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38 views2 pages

PHASM/G 442: 2013: Problem Sheet 2: Please Return To DR Ryan Nichol at The November 14

This document contains 7 problems related to particle physics and quantum mechanics. Problem 1 asks to derive an expression for the kinetic energy of a particle resulting from the decay of another particle. Problem 2 asks to show an identity involving Mandelstam variables in particle scattering. Problem 3 provides definitions of Dirac spinor solutions and asks to derive normalization and completeness relations.

Uploaded by

Roy Vesey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHASM/G 442 : 2013 : Problem Sheet 2

Please return to Dr Ryan Nichol at the November 14th 2013 lecture.

1. A particle of mass M decays at rest into a particle of mass m and a massless particle.
Show that the kinetic energy, T , of the particle of mass m is:

(M − m)2
T = .
2M
Where T = E − m and E is the total energy of the particle of mass m.

2. Consider the case of two-to-two particle scattering where, in terms of four-momenta,


P1 + P2 → P3 + P4 . Show that
4
m2i
X
s+t+u=
i=1

where s = (P1 + P2 )2 , t = (P1 − P3 )2 and u = (P1 − P4 )2 are the Mandelstam variables


and mi are the particle masses.

3. The positive energy spinor solutions to the Dirac equation, u0,1 , are defined as:

χ0,1
! ! !
q
0 1 1 0
u0,1 = |E| + m  
σ ·~
~ p where χ = and χ = .
E+m
χ0,1 0 1

(a) Show that with this choice of normalisation, for s = 0, 1

us us = 2m.

(b) Without expanding ~σ · p~, calculate u1 u1 as a 2 × 2 matrix where each element is a


2 × 2 matrix. Then derive the completeness relation
X
us us = p/ + m
s=1,2

where p/ = pµ γ µ and u1,2 are the two E > 0 spinor solutions to the Dirac equation.

4. (a) Given Ĥψ = i dψ


dt
and the Dirac equation (iγ µ ∂µ − m) ψ = 0.
Show that the Dirac Hamiltonian, ĤD , is given by,

 
~ + γ 0 m and
ĤD = −iγ 0 ~γ · ∇
!
m ~σ · p~
ĤD = .
~σ · p~ −m

(b) If Y = u(a)Xu(b), where X is a 4×4 matrix, u(b) is a Dirac spinor and u(a) is an
adjoint Dirac spinor (u = u† γ 0 ) for fermions b and a respectively.
Show, by considering the dimensions of the matrices, that Y is a 1×1 matrix and
hence that Y ∗ = Y † .

1
(c) Show, without using explicit matrix representations, that:

Y ∗ = u(b)γ 0 X † γ 0 u(a).

5. Using only the properties of the Pauli matrices (i.e. σi σj = δij I + iijk σk ) and without
recourse to a specific representation show that for two vectors ~a and ~b that:

(~σ · ~a)(~σ · ~b) = ~a · ~b + i~σ · (~a × ~b)

and hence that (~σ · p~)2 = |~p|2

6. (a) Defining γ5 = iγ 0 γ 1 γ 2 γ 3 show that γ52 = 1 and γ5† = γ5 .


(b) Show that (γ µ )† = gµν γ ν and using this result show that (γ µ )† γ 0 = γ 0 γ µ .
(c) By taking the Hermitian conjugate of the Dirac equation: (iγ µ ∂µ − m) u = 0 and
multiplying (on the RHS) by γ 0 and using the result of part (a), show that the
adjoint Dirac equation is:
u (iγ µ ∂µ + m) = 0.

7. (a) Find the commutator of the Dirac Hamiltonian, Ĥ (given in Q4), with the orbital
angular momentum operator, L = r × p.
(b) Find the commutator
!
of the Dirac Hamiltonian, Ĥ, with the spin operator, S = 12 Σ,
~σ 0
where Σ = .
0 ~σ
(c) What do these relations imply for the total angular momentum, J = L + S.

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