2
$\begingroup$

In classical mechanics, it is known from Noether's theorem every continuous symmetry gives a conserved current \begin{equation} \partial_{\mu}J^{\mu}=0, \end{equation} where $J^{\mu}$ (generally) can be written in terms of fields and their conjugate momentum. The conserved charge $Q$ is \begin{equation} Q=\int d^3x J^0 \end{equation} In quantum case, our fields are promoted to operators. So $J^{\mu} \rightarrow \hat{J^{\mu}}$, $Q\rightarrow \hat{Q}$. Conservation of $\hat{Q}$ means $d\hat{Q}/dt=-i[\hat{Q},\hat{H}]=0$, where $\hat{H}$ is the Hamiltonian.

My question is: How to write $\partial_{\mu}J^{\mu}=0$ in quantum case? Do we have $\partial_{\mu}\hat{J^{\mu}}=0$ or $\langle\alpha|\partial_{\mu}\hat{J^{\mu}}|\alpha\rangle=0$ for any ket $|\alpha\rangle$?

$\endgroup$

3 Answers 3

4
$\begingroup$

The quantum version of the Noether theorem is Ward-Takanashi identity - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward%E2%80%93Takahashi_identity. It gives relationships between correlation functions in the QFT : $$ \langle \partial^{\mu} j_{\mu} (x) \mathcal{O}_1 (x_1) \ldots \mathcal{O}_N (x_N) \rangle = \sum_{n = 1}^{N} \delta(x - x_n)\langle \mathcal{O}_1 (x_1) \ldots \delta \mathcal{O}_n (x_N) \ldots \mathcal{O}_N (x_N) \rangle $$ Where $\delta$ denotes the variation, induced by the conserved charge $Q$ : $$ \delta \mathcal{O}_n (x_N) = i [Q, \mathcal{O}_n] $$ This identity can be derived rather shortly via the path integral formalism.

$\endgroup$
4
$\begingroup$

We should have the operator equation $\partial_\mu \hat J^\mu=0$. This implies that $\langle a|\partial_\mu \hat J^\mu|b\rangle=0$, $\forall a,b$.

$\endgroup$
5
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ The condition $\langle a|\partial_\mu \hat{J}^\mu|b\rangle=0,\quad\forall a,b$ is not stronger that $\langle a|\partial_\mu\hat{J}^\mu|a\rangle=0,\quad\forall a$. They are equivalent. Indeed, if you assume the second one is true, then playing around with both $0=\langle a+b|\partial_\mu\hat{J}^\mu|a+b\rangle$ and $0=\langle a-b|\partial_\mu\hat{J}^\mu|a-b\rangle$ one can show the first. $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 14, 2020 at 9:14
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ No, I am not. The statement is $0=\langle a|\partial_\mu\hat{J}^\mu|a\rangle$ for all kets $|a\rangle$ in the Hilbert space is equivalent to $0=\langle a|\partial_\mu\hat{J}^\mu|b\rangle$ for all kets $|a\rangle,|b\rangle$ in the Hilbert space. What you are saying would be: $0=\langle a|\partial_\mu\hat{J}^\mu|a\rangle$ for all kets $|a\rangle$ in a basis of the Hilbert space is equivalent to $0=\langle a|\partial_\mu\hat{J}^\mu|b\rangle$ for all kets $|a\rangle,|b\rangle$ in the Hilbert space. $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 14, 2020 at 14:33
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ In words, he's saying that the vanishing of the diagonal in every basis implies the operator is zero. $\endgroup$
    – user1504
    Commented Sep 14, 2020 at 16:59
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I agree with @Iván Mauricio Burbano. My original statement was wrong. I was thinking only of a single basis. $\endgroup$
    – mike stone
    Commented Sep 14, 2020 at 17:47
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @mikestone I would edit the answer to reflect that $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 14, 2020 at 22:18
2
$\begingroup$

Other answers are all fine, but they don't give you the commutator formula you seem to be seeking.

Just like $$ \frac{d}{dt} Q = - i \hbar [Q, H], $$

the generators of the translation group (4-momentum) give you space-time derivatives in QFT:

$$ \partial_{\mu} J^{\mu} = - i \hbar [J^{\mu}, P_{\mu}], $$

with $P_{\mu} = (E, -\vec{P})$.

So your quantum Noether equation is an operator equation $$ \sum_{\mu = 0}^4 [J^{\mu}(x), P_{\mu}] = 0. $$

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.