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As far as I'm aware you can solve for the wave functional $\Psi[\phi]$ of a field using the Schrodinger equation $$i\hbar\frac{\partial \Psi}{\partial t}=H\Psi.$$

  1. Should $H$ here be the Hamiltonian, or the Hamiltonian density?
  2. If it's the Hamiltonian, is there a version of this equation for the Hamiltonian density?
  3. Would assuming a certain form for the functional like $\Psi\sim e^{-\omega \phi^2}$ be of any use in simplifying the equation?

I'm pretty new to QFT so excuse me if the question is poorly formulated.

Cosmas Zachos
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1 Answers1

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Recall, from Hatfield's textbook (QFT of point particles and strings) & Jackiw's review that the functional equation you are emulating is just that, a functional equation the extension of an infinite sum of canonical pairs $[q_i,p_j]=i\hbar \delta_{ij}$ to $$ [\phi(x),\pi(y)]\propto \delta(x-y). $$ So, just as the Hamiltonian in QM deals with all degrees of freedom, just so in QFT, $$ H\psi[\phi]= \int\!\! d^3 x \left (-\frac{\delta^2}{\delta\phi(x)^2} +\phi(x)O\phi(x)+... \right )\psi[\phi], $$ where the ellipses (...) suggests cubic and higher terms in the potential, rarely used. $O$ is a normally nonlocal operator, i.e., $$ O \phi(x) = \int \! d^3y ~O(x-y) \phi(y), $$ such as $O=m^2-\nabla^2$, etc. I've left the time dependence implicit throughout.

It is then evident that the ground state of the quadratic Hamiltonian is $$ \propto e^{-\tfrac{1}{2} \int d^3z ~\phi(z) \sqrt{O} \phi(z) }, $$ but you must attend to the δ-functions.

  • When confused, try to consider uncoupled oscillators, i.e. $O$ a constant.

  • PS if you insist on using functions instead of functionals, you can always convert the latter to the former by sticking in gonzo gratuitous delta functions, $$ H'[\phi]=\int d^3 x ~~{\cal H}(x) \delta (x-y)= {\cal H}(y), $$ but why??


A more explicit definition for $\sqrt O$ is clearest in 1d space. For $$ \sqrt{O}\phi(x)\equiv \int\! dy~ K(x-y)\phi(y). ~~~\leadsto \\ O\phi[x]= \sqrt{O}\sqrt{O}\phi(x) =\int\! dydz~ K(x-y) K(y-z)\phi(z) ~~~\implies \\ O(x-z)= \int\! dy ~~K(x-y) K(y-z), $$ the equation defining the kernel of the square root.

Cosmas Zachos
  • 67,623