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Consider a complex scalar field $\phi$ with the Lagrangian:
$$L = \partial_\mu\phi^\dagger\partial^\mu\phi - m^2 \phi^\dagger\phi.$$

Consider also two real scalar fields $\phi_1$ and $\phi_2$ with the Lagrangian:
$$L = \frac12\partial_\mu\phi_1\partial^\mu\phi_1 - \frac12m^2 \phi_1^2 +\frac12\partial_\mu\phi_2\partial^\mu\phi_2 - \frac12m^2 \phi_2^2.$$

Are these two systems essentially the same? If not -- what is the difference?

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    $\begingroup$ Actually, $\phi \equiv \left( \phi_1 + i \phi_2 \right)/\sqrt{2}$. $\endgroup$
    – QGR
    Commented Jan 21, 2011 at 16:30
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    $\begingroup$ Kostya: the charge conjugation exchanges $\phi$ with $\phi^\dagger$. Because $\phi=(\phi_1+i\phi_2)/\sqrt{2}$ and $\phi^\dagger=(\phi_1-i\phi_2)/\sqrt{2}$, it follows that the exchanging of $\phi$ and $\phi^\dagger$ in this case is simply $\phi_2\to-\phi_2$ while $\phi_1$ is kept fixed. We say that $\phi_1$ is C-even while $\phi_2$ is C-odd. However, if $\phi$ is charged under any continuous symmetry, such as $U(1)$, it would be silly to decompose it into two parts. However, the message that the C-conjugation may look ad hoc is completely valid. C is not a God-given symmetry. $\endgroup$
    – Luboš Motl
    Commented Jan 21, 2011 at 19:23

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There are some kind of silly answers here, except for QGR who correctly says they are identical. The two Lagrangians are isomorphic, the fields have just been relabeled. So anything you can do with one you can do with the other. The first has manifest $U(1)$ global symmetry, the second manifest $SO(2)$ but these two Lie algebras are isomorphic. If you want to gauge either global symmetry you can do it in the obvious way. You can use a complex scalar to represent a single charged field, but you could also use it to represent two real neutral fields. If you don't couple to some other fields in a way that allows you to measure the charge there is no difference.

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    $\begingroup$ And normalization conditions? Are they the same? $\endgroup$
    – Vladimir Kalitvianski
    Commented Jan 21, 2011 at 19:28
  • $\begingroup$ Normalization conditions for one particle field is different from that for two independent other ones. Besides, if the neutral scalars are different (in some other quantum number than mass), you cannot make their superposition (no SU(2)). U(1) assumes such a superposition. $\endgroup$
    – Vladimir Kalitvianski
    Commented Jan 21, 2011 at 19:55
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They're identical. Typically, we use complex fields if we have a $U(1)$ symmetry, or some more complicated gauge group with complex representations.

Incidentally, the same comment applies to whether we use Majorana spinors or Weyl spinors.

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    $\begingroup$ I thought the mass terms were different for Majorana and Weyl spinors--in particular, if the neutrino masses were Majorana masses, we could identify left-handed neutrinos with antineutrinos, while if they were Weyl masses, it is necessary that there be sterile neutrinos. $\endgroup$
    – Zo the Relativist
    Commented Jan 21, 2011 at 19:22
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    $\begingroup$ @Jerry; You are confusing Dirac masses with Weyl masses. A Weyl mass is the same as a Majorana mass in 4d. $\endgroup$
    – Ron Maimon
    Commented Aug 13, 2011 at 2:40
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A complex scalar field represents a single charged particle whereas two real scalar fields may represent two independent neutral particles. The difference is easy to note while imposing physical initial, boundary and/or normalization conditions which essentially depend on what you are describing - one charged or two different neutral particles. Two independent neutral scalars do not obey a superposition principle, one cannot mix them in one field.

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    $\begingroup$ This is a great observation. +1 $\endgroup$
    – user346
    Commented Jan 21, 2011 at 18:04
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    $\begingroup$ It's not true that the two ways to describe the complex field differ in the ability to interfere. The two expressions are fully equivalent. Charged particles have to be excitations of complex fields but that's an entirely different question than interference. Much like $\phi_1$ and $\phi_2$ don't interfere with each other, $\phi$ and $\phi^\dagger$ don't interfere with one another. It's the same thing, just a different basis. $\endgroup$
    – Luboš Motl
    Commented Jan 22, 2011 at 8:12
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    $\begingroup$ I agree that a charged particle described with a complex field $\phi$ which is decomposed into two real components like $\phi_1 + i\phi_2$ . I disagree that two neutral independent particles describe a charged one. $\endgroup$
    – Vladimir Kalitvianski
    Commented Jan 22, 2011 at 10:41
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    $\begingroup$ Dear downvoters, tell me where I am wrong, please. I would like to learn. $\endgroup$
    – Vladimir Kalitvianski
    Commented Jan 31, 2011 at 16:22
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    $\begingroup$ I just read this conversation; I note that Michael keeps returning to the complex field. But it is not disputed that a complex field can be treated as pair of real ones. What is disputed is whether or not the Lagrangian on its own dictates the physics, and thus whether or not it you have two real fields whose Lagrangian maps to that of a single complex field, it amounts to the same physics. Vladimir is saying that the Lagrangian alone does not dictate all the physics. Whether or not he is right, that is the question one has to address. $\endgroup$
    – Andrew Steane
    Commented Dec 5, 2019 at 13:21
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they are equivalent from a physics point of view and can be mapped into each other.

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    $\begingroup$ Hi and welcome to the Physics SE! Please note that you should try to write fuller answers, at least when other answers, such as pho's, have already given the same information as yours in a more comprehensive manner. $\endgroup$
    – stafusa
    Commented Dec 5, 2019 at 12:25
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I think the free Lagrangian alone does not give the physical content. We can also alternatively represent $\phi = \phi_0 \exp(i \theta)$. Then we have $$ L = { 1 \over 2} \partial^\mu \phi_0 \partial_\mu \phi_0 + m^2 \phi_0^2 + {1 \over 2} \partial^\mu \theta \partial_\mu \theta $$ Here we can also ask whether we have one charged massive field or one massive neutral field and one massless one. In order to decide the field content, one must couple the scalar field with the vector field or spinor field. The complex scalar representation can have a coupling with the vector gauge field, while the two real scalar representation does not have one. Now I have another question: If we want to couple a complex scalar field with a Dirac spinor, how can we choose from the two following $$ L_1 = \bar \psi (\phi^\dagger + \phi) \psi $$ or alternatively $$ L_2 = i \bar \psi (\phi^\dagger - \phi) \psi $$ And what is the physical meaning of the above two interactions?

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  • $\begingroup$ Your Lagrangian in polar coordinates is not right, you need a $\rho^2$ in front of the $\theta$ kinetic term. It must be different from what you wrote, since the spectrum doesn't depend on the choice of fields. $\endgroup$
    – Javier
    Commented Sep 16, 2018 at 14:24

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