Past exam of the quantum field theory course of the University of Oxford / 2018 / 2 / b / Solution

Expand the normalized Euclidean path integral with weight $e^{-S_E}$ and apply Wick's theorem. Use labelled external momenta and a fixed Fourier transform convention throughout. A line carrying momentum $q$ contributes $(q^2+m_0^2{)}^{-1}$. Each $2k$-valent interaction vertex contributes $-{\lambda }_{2k}=-{\mu }^{d_k}{g}_{2k}$: its $(2k)!$ possible contractions cancel the factorial in the Lagrangian density. A vertex also carries $(2\pi {)}^D{\delta }^{(D)}(\sum q)$ with all incident momenta incoming. Integrate each independent loop momentum with $d^{D}q/(2\pi {)}^D$ and divide by the Feynman-diagram symmetry factor for fixed external labels. There are no Minkowski factors of $i$.

For the full $N$-point Green's function, include every graph in which all vertices belong to components attached to external insertions. In particular, disconnected components carrying external insertions must be included, and the zeroth-order result is the sum of free pairings. Pure vacuum bubbles cancel against the denominator. The connected Green's function restricts to connected graphs, while a one-particle-irreducible vertex imposes the stronger restriction that removing one internal line cannot disconnect the graph. These are different objects. Odd $N$ vanishes in the symmetric vacuum because every interaction has even valence. At fixed perturbative order, multiply by the appropriate power of the coupling and sum all allowed graph topologies and external attachments.

If the overall momentum-conservation delta function is removed by convention, report the remaining function as its coefficient. The ordinary unamputated Green's function includes external scalar propagators; dividing them out defines an amputated function. The definition in c performs this amputation but does not, by itself, impose the usual one-particle-irreducibility condition.