Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-field-theory-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2019/2/a/solution
Past exam of the quantum field theory course of the University of Oxford 2019 2 a Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
Use the Fourier transform convention , and similarly for . All four-momenta at an interaction vertex are incoming. The quadratic terms are diagonal, so the scalar propagators areThe field interaction terms are and . The two identical field slots cancel the factor at either cubic interaction vertex. Expanding therefore givesIn the second rule are specifically the two four-momenta; there is no derivative acting on the leg. Indeed the two derivatives give , fixing the minus sign. This is a mixed scalar derivative cubic vertex. For arbitrary off-shell legs one may equivalently write , but may not replace the squared four-momenta by squared masses unless those legs are on their mass shells.
Each interaction vertex also carries for momentum conservation. Integrate independent loop momenta with and divide by the Feynman-diagram symmetry factor. An amputated external scalar leg has factor 1. The Feynman i-epsilon prescription fixes the propagator poles. As a dimensional check in four spacetime dimensions, , and in mass dimensions; the two powers of momentum in the derivative rule restore mass dimension one for its cubic interaction vertex.
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