Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-advanced-quantum-field-theory-for-particle-physics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2025/1/f/solution

Use the sign convention from part b, and let
In the path integral, make the local field redefinition . The functional Taylor expansion of the action gives
The two first-order terms cancel. Neglecting the functional Jacobian as permitted,
Thus is a redundant operator at first order, by the equivalence theorem for field redefinitions. The same argument works for a local derivative-dependent , which is needed to remove . Insertions and sources must be transformed too: arbitrary untransformed off shell correlation functions need not be equal.
Sign qualification. If instead is used, then . An added is removed by . The minus shift requested in the source therefore fixes which sign is meant by its otherwise unspecified .

New to topics? Read the docs here!