Method of second quantization

1. What are the differences between first and second quantization? Discuss.
2. Show that, in the second quantization the fields are thought of as field operators, in a
manner similar to how the physical quantities (position, momentum, etc.) are thought
of as operators in first quantization.
3. Discuss the system of interacting Bosons. Show that a system of interacting helium
atoms at T = 0 K behaves as a collection of elementary excitations corresponding to non-
interacting quasi-particles (quanta) of momentum ℏk and energies E(k), given by
2 1/2
2𝑣𝑛ℏ2 𝑘 2 ℏ2 𝑘 2
𝐸(𝑘) = [ +( ) ] .
𝑚 2𝑚

Where symbols carry their usual meanings.

4. Discuss Landau dispersion curve for elementary excitation in a superfluid system of
Boson.
5. What was Bogolyubov’s idea to develop microscopic theory of superconductivity?
Discuss properties of new operators introduced by Bogolyubov to show pairing
property.
6. Discuss the system of interacting Fermions. Find the expression for superconducting
energy gap  above the superconducting ground state as,
2ℏ2 𝑘0 𝑤 𝑒𝑥𝑝{−𝐷/𝑣} 2𝜋2 ℏ2
Δ= }
, 𝐷≡
𝑚 𝑒𝑥𝑝{−𝐷/𝑣−1 𝑚𝑘0

Where the symbols have their usual meaning.

7. According to second quantization, show that all particles in the nature can be regarded
as quanta of same field.

Klein-Gordon Field

1
8. Show that ap and ap† are the annihilation and creation operator for the Klein-Gordon
field and then prove that they satisfy the following commutation relation with the
normal ordered Hamiltonian.
(a) [𝐻, 𝑎𝐏 ] = −𝜔𝑝 𝑎𝐏
(b) [𝐻, 𝑎𝐏 † ] = −𝜔𝑝 𝑎𝐏 †
Also show that the Klein-Gordon particles should be bosons.
9. Show that the total momentum operator for the Klien-Gordon field in terms of creation
and annihilation operator is given by
𝑑3𝑝
𝐏=∫ P𝑎𝐏 † 𝑎𝐏 .
(2𝜋)3

10. Find energy eigenvalue of the Klien-Gordon Hamiltonian for the two particle state
|P1 ,P2 〉.
11.Find the expression for the spectrum of Klein-Gordon Hamiltonian using single particle
harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian in terms of creation and annihilation operator. How
this spectrum can be used to find eigenstates? Explain.
12.How Klein-Gordon field can be quantized in the Schrodinger picture? Discuss.
13.What will happen if Klein-Gordon field is quantized in the Heisenberg picture? Discuss.
14.How casualty is maintained in the Klein-Gordon theory? Explain.
15.Find the expression for Feynman propagator for Klein-Gordon particle as,
𝑑4𝑝 𝑖
𝐷𝐹 (𝑥 − 𝑦) = ∫ 𝑒 𝑖𝑝.(𝑥−𝑦)
(2𝜋)4 𝑝2 − 𝑚2 + 𝑖𝜀
Where the symbols have their usual meaning.
16.Find Green function for Klein-Gordon operator and show that it is
𝐷𝐹 (𝑥 − 𝑦) ≡ ⟨0|𝑇𝜙(𝑥)𝜙(𝑦)|0⟩
Where the symbols have their usual meaning.
17.Show that the Feynmann propagator DF (x − y) is a Green’s function of the Klein-Gordan
operator.
18.Evaluate the function
2
 𝑑 4 𝑝 𝑖 −𝑖𝑝.(𝑥−𝑦)
⟨0|𝜙(𝑥)𝜙(𝑦)|0⟩ = 𝐷𝐹 (𝑥 − 𝑦) = ∫ 𝑒
(2𝜋)3 2𝐸𝑝
For (x-y) space-like so that (x – y)2 = -r2, explicitly in terms of Bessel functions.
Where the symbols have their usual meaning.
19.Diagonalize the Hamiltonian of the complex-valued scalar field by using creation and
annihilation operator.

Dirac Field

μ
20.Under Lorentz transformation 𝑥 𝜇 → 𝑥 ′𝜇 = Λν 𝑥 𝜇 , then scalar field transform as
𝜙(𝑥) → 𝜙 ′ (𝑥) = 𝜙(Λ−1 𝑥). Explain the meaning of above equation. Also show that,
𝜕𝜈 𝜙(𝑥) → (Λ−1 )νμ (𝜕𝜈 𝜙)(Λ−1 𝑥).
21.The plane wave solution of the Dirac equation is given by
𝑑3𝑝 1 †
𝜓(𝑥) = ∫ 3
∑ [𝑎𝑝𝑠 𝑢 𝑠 (𝑝)𝑒 −𝑖𝑝.𝑥 ] + 𝑏𝑝𝑠 𝑣 𝑠 (𝑝)𝑒 𝑖𝑝.𝑥
(2𝜋) √2𝐸𝑝
𝑠=1,2
1
Write the meaning of the terms 𝑎𝑝𝑠 , 𝑏𝑝𝑠 , 𝑢 𝑠 (𝑝) and 𝑣 𝑠 (𝑝). Also show how the term
√2𝐸𝑝

comes out. Where the symbols have their usual meaning.

22.Show that
𝑠
∑2𝑠=1 𝑢 𝑠 (𝑝) 𝑢 (𝑝) = (ᵽ + 𝑚). Where the symbols have their usual meaning.
23.Show that the Dirac field bilinear
(a) 𝜓𝜓 transforms like a scalar.
(b) 𝜓𝛾 𝜇 𝜓 transforms like a vector.
(c) 𝜓𝛾 𝜇𝜈 𝜓 transforms like a tensor.
(d) 𝜓𝛾 𝜇 𝜓 is a real quantity.
24.Under Lorentz transformation, show that
(a) 𝜓𝛾 5 𝛾 𝜇 𝜓 transforms as a pseudo four vector.
3
 (b) 𝜓𝛾 5 𝜓 transforms as a pseudo scalar.
25. Show that using anto-commutation relation for fermionic quantization solves negative
energy state problem.
26.Show that for Dirac particles the canonical momentum is Π = 𝑖𝜓 + . Why there is no
𝑑𝜓
derivative term like in canonical momentum term? [Generally one associates some
𝑑𝑡

velocity like term in something which can be called momentum.]

27. Show that Dirac equation implies Klien-Gordon equation.
𝑖
28. Starting from 𝑆𝜇𝜈 = [𝛾 𝜇 , 𝛾 𝜈 ] show that (𝑆 0𝑖 )† ≠ 𝑆 0𝑖 where as (𝑆 𝑖𝑗 )† = 𝑆 𝑖𝑗 .
4

29.Show that [A, BC] = {A,B}C – B{A,C}. Explain why this expression is important in fermionic
physics?
30. Describe Weyl spinors. What are the differences among Dirac, Weyl, and Majorana
fermions?
31.Find Green function for Dirac operator and show that it is

𝑆𝐹 (𝑥 − 𝑦) ≡ ⟨0|𝑇𝜓(𝑥)𝜓(𝑦)|0⟩
32.Discuss quantization of Dirac field and find angular momentum of zero-momentum
fermion as

33.Discuss parity and time reversal symmetries in the Dirac Field.

34.Show that free Dirac Lagrangian ℒ0 = 𝜓(𝑖𝛾 𝜇 𝜕𝜇 − 𝑚)𝜓 is invariant under C, P, and T
separately.
35. Discuss path integral formulation of quantum mechanics in brief. How this formulation
differ from second quantization? Explain.

4
Interacting Field

36.Discuss interacting field theory considering Lagrangian for quantum electrodynamics.

37.What do you mean by Gauge Covarient Derivative? Show that QED lagrangian is
invariant under Gauge Transformation.
38.What do you mean by two-point Green’s function? Find expression for the ground state
of interacting theory.
39.Discuss perturbation theory for interacting field.
40.State of prove Wick’s theorem.
41.What do you mean by all possible contractions? Set up relation between time-ordering
and normal-ordering for two interacting (m = 2) fields.
42.Use Wick’s theorem to establish relation between time-ordering and normal-ordering
for four interacting (m = 4) fields.