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As far as I understood, in the path integral formulation of QFT, a field configuration is modelled by a mapping

$$ x \rightarrow \Psi(x) $$ Where $\Psi(x)$ are 4 components, each represented by 4 grassmann numbers. We need 4 Grassmann-Numbers for every point in space, an all those numbers need to anticommute, so all in all we need 4 times infinity Grassmann-Generators. This means that $\Psi$ is a mapping from space time to an infinite dimensional exterior Algebra (I hope this is correct).

What I wonder now is: We require the Lagrangian

$$ \bar{\Psi}(\partial_{\mu}\gamma^{\mu} - m)\Psi $$

To be some rather simple object, namely a Lorentz scalar, something that we can integrate over and that will give an action $S$ that can be used as a phase in the exponential function. We want to add for example products $ \bar{\Psi}A_{\mu} \gamma^{\mu} \Psi$ or terms that don't have anything to do with the exterior algebra, like $F^{\mu \nu}F_{\mu \nu}$.

How can we add products of the exterior algebra (which are somewhat two-forms) and terms that are zero forms, like the mentioned free electromagnetic field Lagrangian? If I understand correctly, $\bar{\Psi} \Psi$ is some kind of two-form, while $F^{\mu \nu}F_{\mu \nu}$ is some kind of 0-Form). How do we reconcile this?

I hope I understood the usage of Grassmann numbers correctly, If not, I'd appreciate if an answer would point out the flaw in the described usage.

Qmechanic
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Quantumwhisp
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1 Answers1

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The action, Lagrangian & Lagrangian density are Grassmann-even supernumbers in the path/functional integral formalism of a QFT with fermionic/Grassmann-odd fields, cf. e.g. this & this related Phys.SE posts.

We stress that the soul-part of a supernumber is an indeterminate/variable, i.e. a placeholder, except it cannot be replaced by a number to give it a value.

A value can only be achieved by integrating it out! This is achieved by the path/functional integration. The value of the path/functional integral (if it contains no external supernumber parameters, such as e.g. fermionic sources) is an ordinary complex number $\in\mathbb{C}$.

Qmechanic
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