Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-field-theory-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2022/3/b/solution

Define the constant Dirac gamma matrix combinations and . The Hamiltonian operator is
Evaluate its commutator with using the bilocal result in a. The mass term cancels immediately when , because its two Dirac delta distributions coincide. For the derivative term first keep the two points distinct:
The terms in which the derivative acts on cancel against each other; the derivative of the second Dirac delta distribution remains. Thus
The last equality is integration by parts, or the defining derivative rule for a distribution. Consequently the literal conserved current whose divergence equals is
Because a commutator of two Hermitian operators is anti-Hermitian, this includes . The physical Hermitian Dirac current is instead , so . The Heisenberg equation of motion now gives
This establishes the continuity equation directly from the required commutator, without assuming the Dirac equation or invoking the Noether theorem as a substitute for the computation.

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