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The small-external-momentum expansion of a four-point one-particle-irreducible correlation function generates a local quartic term followed by four-field terms with derivatives, for example ${\varphi }^2(\partial \varphi {)}^2$ and higher-derivative operators, modulo integration by parts. This is an analytic expansion when there is an appropriate gap and regulator smoothness. A sharp projector on every internal momentum can instead generate nonanalytic boundary artifacts; then the local expansion is a smooth-regulator or fixed-loop-cutoff convention, not an automatic theorem about the entire sharp-cutoff vertex.

The four-point correlation function measures a time-ordered product of four field insertions. For a centered scalar field its disconnected terms are the three products of two-point functions, and subtracting those products leaves the connected correlation function. In a free Gaussian scalar vacuum the connected four-point function vanishes, by Wick's theorem, so only the three paired products remain. The connected four-point function of phi-fourth theory starts with one quartic vertex; amputation removes its external propagators. The full correlator, its connected part and the four-point one-particle-irreducible correlation function should therefore be distinguished.

Applying four functional derivatives to the functional equation gives the homogeneous equation for the renormalized four-point one-particle-irreducible correlation function:If the opposite convention for ${\gamma }_{\varphi }$ is used, the last sign changes. The factor four counts the four external renormalized fields.

For the Euclidean quartic scalar field theory, expansion of $e^{-S}$ gives the momentum-space rules

At one loop, the four-point one-particle-irreducible correlation function receives the three bubble diagrams in the $s$, $t$, and $u$ channels. If $P$ is the momentum through one channel, its contribution isUsing a Feynman parameter, shifting the loop momentum, and writing ${\Delta }_x=m^2+x(1-x)P^2$ gives, up to terms caused by shifting the boundary of a hard cutoff,Thus every channel has the logarithmic ultraviolet divergenceThe complete one-loop vertex isLet $I_{m,\mathrm{os}}$ denote the bracket evaluated at the chosen on-shell kinematic point. The on-shell renormalization scheme requires $V_a^{(4)}{|}_{\mathrm{os}}=-{\lambda }_{\mathrm{phys}}$, hence the perturbative solution isThe cutoff dependence of ${\lambda }_a$ is the coupling counterterm needed to hold the measured coupling fixed.