Past exam of the quantum field theory course of the University of Oxford / 2025 / 2 / c / i / Solution

Let $p_1,p_2$ be the incoming and $p_3,p_4$ the outgoing four-momenta, and set $s=(p_1+p_2{)}^2$, $t=(p_1-p_3{)}^2$, $u=(p_1-p_4{)}^2$, the Mandelstam variables. The only connected tree-level Feynman diagram is the $s$-channel exchange of $\bar{\Phi }$, with Noether charge $+2$. The two incoming light particles attach to ${\varphi }^2\Phi$, and the two outgoing light particles to its conjugate. There is no four-light contact Feynman vertex, nor a charge-allowed $t$ or $u$ exchange with these external labels.

Define the invariant scattering amplitude by $⟨f|S-1|i⟩=i(2\pi {)}^4{\delta }^{(4)}(P_f-P_i)\mathcal{M}$. ThenThe Feynman vertices already contain the identical-leg combinatorics. No extra factor of two multiplies this invariant scattering amplitude; the distinct identical final-state symmetry factor enters a cross section integral.