Skip to content

Canonical lookup

Formula index

Retrieve convention-complete formula checkpoints with variables, assumptions, dimensional checks, validity limits, and links to derivations.

This index is a concise projection, not an independent explanation. Each record keeps the scope needed for use and links to its source page.

Coverage notes
  • Formula records are explicitly curated checkpoints and are never extracted from arbitrary display equations.
  • Every expression retains its variables, assumptions, applicable conventions, source page, and scope.

Latest lookup-entry revision: 2026-09-12

Reference records

Find a scoped record

Search titles and declared aliases, then narrow by record type or available facets.

11recordsNo filters applied.
  • Formula

    Canonically normalized real-scalar action

    The reference checkpoint uses the mostly-minus metric, canonical kinetic normalization, a mass term, and a locally defined interaction potential.

    Expression
    S=∫ddx [12∂μϕ ∂μϕ−12m2ϕ2−Vint(ϕ)]S=\int \mathrm d^d x\,\left[\frac12\partial_\mu\phi\,\partial^\mu\phi-\frac12m^2\phi^2-\mathcal V_{\mathrm{int}}(\phi)\right]
    Variables
    phi is a real scalar field, m is its mass parameter, and V_int is the interaction potential.
    Dimensional check
    For canonical normalization, [phi]=(d-2)/2 and the Lagrangian density has mass dimension d.
    Limitation
    This checkpoint is not an assertion that every theory admits a canonical scalar description.
    Aliases
    real scalar action, Klein–Gordon action, canonical scalar action
    Scope
    A canonically normalized real scalar field in flat d-dimensional Lorentzian spacetime.
    Assumptions
    Boundary conditions justify the integrations by parts used by the owning derivation.; The interaction potential and its stability or EFT interpretation are specified locally.
  • Formula

    Connected and one-particle-irreducible generating functionals

    With the default source sign, W is minus i log Z and the Legendre transform gives delta Gamma over delta phi_c equal to minus J.

    Expression
    Z[J]=∫Dϕ eiS[ϕ]+i∫ddx Jϕ,W[J]=−ilog⁡Z[J],ϕc=δWδJ,Γ[ϕc]=W[J]−∫ddx JϕcZ[J]=\int\mathcal D\phi\,e^{iS[\phi]+i\int \mathrm d^d x\,J\phi},\quad W[J]=-i\log Z[J],\quad \phi_{\mathrm c}=\frac{\delta W}{\delta J},\quad \Gamma[\phi_{\mathrm c}]=W[J]-\int \mathrm d^d x\,J\phi_{\mathrm c}
    Identity
    δΓδϕc=−J\frac{\delta\Gamma}{\delta\phi_{\mathrm c}}=-J
    Variables
    J is a bosonic source, phi_c is the source-dependent classical field, W generates connected correlators, and Gamma generates one-particle-irreducible vertices.
    Dimensional check
    The source term integral and action are dimensionless in natural units.
    Aliases
    generating functional, effective action Legendre transform, W and Gamma
    Scope
    Lorentzian bosonic source functional with the declared plus source coupling.
    Assumptions
    The functional Legendre transform exists in the bounded sense used by the owning treatment.; Fermionic, Euclidean, background-field, and closed-time-path variants declare their signs locally.
  • Formula

    Free-scalar Feynman propagator

    The time-ordered free-scalar two-point function carries the Feynman plus-i-zero prescription in the site's Fourier and metric conventions.

    Expression
    ⟨0∣Tϕ(x)ϕ(0)∣0⟩=∫ddp(2π)di e−ip⋅xp2−m2+i0\langle0|\mathrm T\phi(x)\phi(0)|0\rangle=\int\frac{\mathrm d^d p}{(2\pi)^d}\frac{i\,e^{-ip\cdot x}}{p^2-m^2+i0}
    Variables
    x is the separation, p is momentum, m is the scalar mass, and i0 fixes the Feynman contour.
    Dimensional check
    The propagator has mass dimension d-2 for a canonically normalized scalar.
    Limitation
    Retarded, advanced, Wightman, Euclidean, in-in, and in-out objects are not interchangeable with this record.
    Aliases
    Feynman propagator, scalar propagator, time-ordered two-point function
    Scope
    The vacuum two-point function of a canonically normalized free real scalar field in flat Lorentzian spacetime.
    Assumptions
    The state is the free vacuum and the product is time ordered.; The plus-i-zero prescription specifies the Feynman boundary value.
  • Formula

    Gaussian sources and the four-point Wick contraction

    A normalized free-vacuum source functional generates the three pairings of four scalar insertions.

    Expression
    Z0[J]=exp⁡ ⁣(−12JDFJ),DF(n)=(−i)nδnZ0δJ1⋯δJn∣J=0,DF(4)(1,2,3,4)=D12D34+D13D24+D14D23.\begin{aligned}Z_0[J]&=\exp\!\left(-\frac12JD_FJ\right),\\D_F^{(n)}&=\left.(-i)^n\frac{\delta^nZ_0}{\delta J_1\cdots\delta J_n}\right|_{J=0},\\D_F^{(4)}(1,2,3,4)&=D_{12}D_{34}+D_{13}D_{24}+D_{14}D_{23}.\end{aligned}
    Variables
    J is the plus-sign Lorentzian source; JD_FJ includes both spacetime integrals. D_F^(n) is the raw time-ordered n-point function. D_ij=D_F(x_i-x_j), and the numerals label distinct spacetime arguments.
    Dimensional check
    In four dimensions [phi]=1, [J]=3, [D_F(x)]=2 and the integrated exponent is dimensionless.
    Application
    Scalar capstone, stage 2: compare source differentiation with canonical vacuum contractions.
    Limitation
    The connected fourth moment vanishes in the centered Gaussian vacuum. Interactions, non-Gaussian states and renormalized coincident composite products require their own treatment.
    Scope
    Centered free real scalar vacuum with the Feynman boundary prescription.
    Assumptions
    Use a finite regulator before interpreting the functional expression.; D_F is the raw time-ordered two-point function; G_F=iD_F is the delta-normalized inverse of the Klein–Gordon operator.
  • Formula

    Heavy-scalar matching and its exact tree remainder

    A common stabilizing contact and all three exchange channels permit a controlled local expansion with an absolute error bound.

    Expression
    λEFT=λfull−3g2M2,Mfull=−λfull+g2M2∑q=s,t,u11−q/M2,MEFT[1]=−λfull+g2M2∑q=s,t,u(1+q/M2),∣R∣≤3g2M2ρ21−ρ.\begin{aligned}\lambda_{\mathrm{EFT}}&=\lambda_{\mathrm{full}}-\frac{3g^2}{M^2},\\\mathcal M_{\mathrm{full}}&=-\lambda_{\mathrm{full}}+\frac{g^2}{M^2}\sum_{q=s,t,u}\frac{1}{1-q/M^2},\\\mathcal M_{\mathrm{EFT}}^{[1]}&=-\lambda_{\mathrm{full}}+\frac{g^2}{M^2}\sum_{q=s,t,u}(1+q/M^2),\\|R|&\le\frac{3g^2}{M^2}\frac{\rho^2}{1-\rho}.\end{aligned}
    Variables
    H is the internal heavy mediator, phi the light field, [g]=1, and R=M_full-M_EFT^[1]. The superscript [1] retains one power of q/M^2 in each heavy propagator.
    Dimensional check
    The contact, exchange amplitudes and remainder are dimensionless. The leading derivative operator has coefficient g^2/M^4 of dimension -2.
    Application
    Scalar capstone, stage 7: complete the potential square and use 1/(1-z)-(1+z)=z^2/(1-z).
    Limitation
    The bound is absolute. A relative error with respect to the full amplitude needs a nonzero lower bound on that amplitude; cancellations with the contact can invalidate an exchange-relative estimate. This is tree matching, without loop threshold corrections.
    Scope
    Tree-level light-scalar scattering below a heavy scalar mass M.
    Assumptions
    The full potential is U=m^2 phi^2/2+M^2 H^2/2+g H phi^2/2+lambda_full phi^4/24, with m^2>0 and lambda_full>3g^2/M^2.; Use the same contact in full and effective amplitudes, M much larger than m, g^2/M^2 much smaller than 1 and lambda_full much smaller than 1.; For each q in {s,t,u}, require |q|<=rho M^2 with 0<rho<1.; This massive worked extension retains one power of each invariant; the canonical massless fixed-angle example instead retains the quadratic terms.
  • Formula

    Identical scalar elastic cross section

    Invariant flux and two-particle phase space cancel the equal-mass velocity ratio, leaving one final-state counting factor.

    Expression
    dσdΩ=∣M∣2128π2s,σtree=λ232πs,F=2s vs,dΦ2=vs32π2dΩ.\begin{aligned}\frac{d\sigma}{d\Omega}&=\frac{|\mathcal M|^2}{128\pi^2s},\\\sigma_{\mathrm{tree}}&=\frac{\lambda^2}{32\pi s},\\\mathcal F&=2s\,v_s,\qquad d\Phi_2=\frac{v_s}{32\pi^2}d\Omega.\end{aligned}
    Variables
    s is the squared center-of-mass energy, v_s=sqrt(1-4m^2/s), m is the physical scalar mass, F is the invariant flux and dPhi_2 is the labeled phase-space measure.
    Dimensional check
    The cross section has mass dimension -2; the flux has dimension 2 and the four-dimensional two-body phase space is dimensionless.
    Application
    Scalar capstone, stage 4: derive the radial delta-function Jacobian and compare the two angular-counting conventions.
    Limitation
    The total-rate formula uses the angle-independent contact amplitude. At exact threshold the incident flux vanishes; the stated limit is approached from s>4m^2. A permutation-ordered hemisphere instead uses no final factorial.
    Scope
    Elastic two-to-two scattering of equal-mass identical scalars, s>4m^2.
    Assumptions
    Integrate over the full labeled center-of-mass sphere and include exactly one final 1/2!.; The two incoming beams are specified separately; there is no incoming factorial.; At tree level the contact amplitude is M=-lambda.
  • Formula

    One-loop running of the scalar quartic coupling

    Differentiating the bare coupling before removing the regulator fixes the leading beta coefficient.

    Expression
    δλ=3λ232π2ϵˉ,ϵˉ−1=ϵ−1−γE+ln⁡4π,βλ=3λ216π2+O(λ3),λ(μ)=λ(μ0)1−3λ(μ0)16π2ln⁡(μ/μ0).\begin{aligned}\delta\lambda&=\frac{3\lambda^2}{32\pi^2\bar\epsilon},\qquad \bar\epsilon^{-1}=\epsilon^{-1}-\gamma_E+\ln4\pi,\\\beta_\lambda&=\frac{3\lambda^2}{16\pi^2}+O(\lambda^3),\\\lambda(\mu)&=\frac{\lambda(\mu_0)}{1-\dfrac{3\lambda(\mu_0)}{16\pi^2}\ln(\mu/\mu_0)}.\end{aligned}
    Variables
    lambda_0=mu^(2epsilon)[lambda+delta lambda+...] is the bare quartic coupling; gamma_E is the Euler constant and mu_0 is the boundary-data scale.
    Dimensional check
    lambda and its four-dimensional beta function are dimensionless; the bare coupling in d=4-2epsilon has dimension 2epsilon.
    Application
    Scalar capstone, stage 6: the three finite bubble logarithms cancel the leading scale variation of the tree amplitude.
    Limitation
    The solution integrates the one-loop beta function. Its formal Landau singularity signals failure of that approximation and does not by itself prove scalar triviality.
    Scope
    One-component scalar phi^4 coupling with interaction -lambda phi^4/4! near four dimensions.
    Assumptions
    Use the MSbar coupling coordinate and d=4-2epsilon.; Hold bare data fixed and retain the canonical -2epsilon lambda term until after differentiation.; Use the running solution only while the coupling remains perturbative.
  • Formula

    Renormalization-group beta function

    The beta function is the scale derivative of a renormalized coupling with the bare data held fixed.

    Expression
    βg(g)=μdgdμ∣bare data fixed\beta_g(g)=\left.\mu\frac{\mathrm d g}{\mathrm d\mu}\right|_{\text{bare data fixed}}
    Variables
    g is a renormalized coupling and mu is the renormalization scale.
    Dimensional check
    For a dimensionless coupling, beta_g is dimensionless; dimensionful couplings require the declared coordinate convention.
    Limitation
    Beta-function coefficients and even coordinates can be scheme dependent beyond invariant leading information.
    Aliases
    beta function definition, RG flow of a coupling
    Scope
    A renormalized coupling coordinate g and renormalization scale mu.
    Assumptions
    The regulator dimension, subtraction scheme, coupling coordinate, anomalous-dimension sign, and flow direction are declared.
  • Formula

    Scalar quartic contact vertex

    The factorial in the interaction cancels the attachments of four labeled external fields.

    Expression
    Lint=−λ4!ϕ4,V4=−iλ,Mtree=−λ.\mathcal L_{\mathrm{int}}=-\frac{\lambda}{4!}\phi^4,\qquad V_4=-i\lambda,\qquad \mathcal M_{\mathrm{tree}}=-\lambda.
    Variables
    lambda is the real quartic coupling. V_4 is the vertex including its i; the scattering contribution is iM, with the momentum-conserving delta function factored out.
    Dimensional check
    The coupling, vertex and four-dimensional two-to-two amplitude are dimensionless.
    Application
    Scalar capstone, stage 3: count the 4! attachments before applying LSZ.
    Limitation
    This factorial cancellation does not remove a graph automorphism factor or an identical final-state phase-space factor.
    Scope
    Tree-level quartic interaction of a canonically normalized real scalar in four dimensions.
    Assumptions
    Use the normalized vacuum perturbation expansion with the inherited +iS weight.; The four external insertions are labeled; state normalization is relativistic.
  • Formula

    Spacetime Fourier transform pair

    The site-wide continuous spacetime transform pair fixes phases, the inverse measure, and the momentum representation of derivatives.

    Expression
    f~(p)=∫ddx e+ip⋅xf(x),f(x)=∫ddp(2π)de−ip⋅xf~(p)\widetilde f(p)=\int \mathrm d^d x\,e^{+ip\cdot x}f(x),\qquad f(x)=\int\frac{\mathrm d^d p}{(2\pi)^d}e^{-ip\cdot x}\widetilde f(p)
    Variables
    x is position, p is momentum, d is spacetime dimension, and f tilde is the transform of f.
    Dimensional check
    The measure and dimensions of f tilde compensate so the inverse transform has the dimension of f.
    Application
    Under this convention, partial_mu maps to -i p_mu.
    Aliases
    Fourier transform pair, momentum transform
    Scope
    Continuous functions or distributions on d-dimensional spacetime for which the transforms are defined.
    Assumptions
    Distributional transforms use an appropriate test-function or tempered-distribution setting.; Specialized transforms state their own measure and phases.
  • Formula

    Subtracted massive Euclidean scalar bubble

    A local subtraction removes the pole and leaves a finite logarithmic integral with explicit scale dependence.

    Expression
    BMS‾(Q2;m2)=−116π2∫01dx ln⁡m2+Q2x(1−x)μ2,μ∂BMS‾∂μ∣m,Q=18π2.\begin{aligned}B_{\overline{\mathrm{MS}}}(Q^2;m^2)&=-\frac{1}{16\pi^2}\int_0^1dx\,\ln\frac{m^2+Q^2x(1-x)}{\mu^2},\\\left.\mu\frac{\partial B_{\overline{\mathrm{MS}}}}{\partial\mu}\right|_{m,Q}&=\frac{1}{8\pi^2}.\end{aligned}
    Variables
    Q is Euclidean external momentum, m is the positive mass and mu is the subtraction scale. B is the subtracted scalar integral.
    Dimensional check
    B is dimensionless in the four-dimensional limit; the logarithm contains a ratio of squared mass scales.
    Application
    Scalar calculation, stages 5–6: continue the integral with its boundary prescription and assemble the three-channel amplitude, local counterterm and two-particle cut.
    Limitation
    Analytic continuation to a timelike amplitude requires the Feynman boundary prescription, vertex and symmetry factors, and all required channels. The Euclidean expression alone is not a complete scattering amplitude.
    Scope
    The scalar two-propagator integral at Euclidean momentum Q, with Q^2≥0 and m^2>0.
    Assumptions
    Use d=4-2epsilon and modified minimal subtraction.; The integral excludes interaction vertices, graph symmetry factors and external-state normalization.

Original QFT.org content:CC BY 4.0, unless an item supplies different terms. Third-party material retains its own terms.