Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-field-theory-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2022/1/a/solution
Past exam of the quantum field theory course of the University of Oxford 2022 1 a Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
A dimensionless action in six spacetime dimensions requires the Lagrangian density to have mass dimension six. The kinetic term then fixes , and each field interaction term must have the same mass dimension. ThereforeEquivalently, in powers of a length unit , has units , has units , and has units . Thus literal length exponents would be ; the 's in the supplied superficial degree of divergence formula must instead mean mass dimensions, namely . This distinction resolves the wording's convention mismatch.
To check the convention independently, let count internal lines, cubic interaction vertices, quartic interaction vertices, and independent loop momenta. A connected Feynman diagram obeys and . Hence its superficial degree of divergence is , agreeing with the supplied formula only with the mass dimensions above.
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