Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-theoretical-physics-i-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2014/paper-1/5/d/solution

Let and . Because , close below for and above for . The lower closure is clockwise. The two residues sum to . Hence, for nonzero ,
In particular, the printed sign with gives zero for and an advanced Green function for . Reversing that sign puts the poles below and gives a retarded Green function. Both solutions have the unit derivative jump required by . If , the bare integral has real-axis poles and requires an additional contour prescription; a unique retarded or advanced answer cannot be inferred without one.

New to topics? Read the docs here!