Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-field-theory-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2021/3/b/solution
Past exam of the quantum field theory course of the University of Oxford 2021 3 b Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
Let be the number of independent loop momenta in a connected Feynman diagram. Every scalar propagator falls as , and every loop momentum integration contributes three powers, so . Counting line ends and using connectedness givesEliminating and yieldsThus increasing the sextic interaction vertex count does not worsen the superficial degree of divergence; adding a quartic interaction vertex improves it. Only finitely many external-line structures can have an overall ultraviolet divergence, even though arbitrarily high loop order is possible.
After subtracting ultraviolet subdivergences, locality and Lorentz invariance restrict the divergent counterterms to a constant vacuum energy density, a mass counterterm, a wave-function renormalization, and quartic and sextic field interaction terms. Odd powers are forbidden by the Z2 symmetry. In particular, permits a constant and , permits only a constant, and permits only a constant. This is perturbative renormalizability, not a guarantee that every superficially allowed divergence actually occurs or that every unrenormalized graph with lacks divergent subgraphs.
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