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Wick's theorem at finite temperature

Tim Evans, D. A. Steer

Published Jan 1, 1996• 21 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We consider Wick's Theorem for finite temperature and finite volume systems. Working at an operator level with a path ordered approach, we show that contrary to claims in the literature, expectation values of normal ordered products can be chosen to be zero and that results obtained are independent of volume. Thus the path integral and operator approaches to finite temperature and finite volume quantum field theories are indeed seen to be identical. The conditions under which normal ordered products have simple symmetry properties are also considered.

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Wick's theorem for the expectation values of products of field operators for a system of noninteracting fermions or bosons plays an important role in the perturbative approach to the quantum many-body problem. A finite-temperature version holds in the framework of the grand canonical ensemble, but not for the canonical ensemble appropriate for systems with fixed particle number such as ultracold quantum gases in optical lattices. Here we present formulas for expectation values of products of field operators in the canonical ensemble using a method in the spirit of Gaudin's proof of Wick's theorem for the grand canonical case. The deviations from Wick's theorem are examined quantitatively for two simple models of noninteracting fermions.

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Generalized Wick's theorem at finite temperature for a quadratic Hamiltonian

M. O. C. Pires

In Gaudin (1960), Michel Gaudin showed the Wick's theorem at finite temperature using a diagonal Hamiltonian. We extend the Gaudin's prove for a statistical density operator which depend on a quadratic Hamiltonian. To illustrate the utility of the theorem, we evaluate the ratio $\sqrt{[-^2]/}$ of a homogeneous weakly interacting Bose gas at temperature below the Bose-Einstein condensation temperature. At this condition, the quadratic Hamiltonian approximation is valued and, in this evaluation, we show the sub-Poissonian behaviour of the fundamental state distribution at zero temperature.

arXiv:1208.3651•Aug 17, 2012•0 citations
We consider Wick's Theorem for finite temperature and finite volume systems. Working at an operator level with a path ordered approach, we show that contrary to claims in the literature, expectation values of normal ordered products can be chosen to be zero and that results obtained are independent of volume. Thus the path integral and operator approaches to finite temperature and finite volume quantum field theories are indeed seen to be identical. The conditions under which normal ordered products have simple symmetry properties are also considered.
Wick's theorem for the expectation values of products of field operators for a system of noninteracting fermions or bosons plays an important role in the perturbative approach to the quantum many-body problem. A finite-temperature version holds in the framework of the grand canonical ensemble, but not for the canonical ensemble appropriate for systems with fixed particle number such as ultracold quantum gases in optical lattices. Here we present formulas for expectation values of products of field operators in the canonical ensemble using a method in the spirit of Gaudin's proof of Wick's theorem for the grand canonical case. The deviations from Wick's theorem are examined quantitatively for two simple models of noninteracting fermions.
Abstract Wick’s theorem, known for yielding normal ordered from time-ordered bosonic fields, may be generalized for a simple relationship between any two orderings that we define over canonical variables, in a broader sense than before. In this broad class of orderings, the general Wick theorem follows from the Baker–Campbell–Hausdorff identity. We point out that, generally, the characteristic function does not induce an unambigous scheme to order the multiple products of the canonical operators although the value of the ordered product is unique. We construct a manifold of different schemes for each value of s of s -orderings of Cahill and Glauber.
Wick's theorem provides a connection between time ordered products of bosonic or fermionic fields, and their normal ordered counterparts. We consider a generic pair of operator orderings and we prove, by induction, the theorem that relates them. We name this the general Wick's theorem (GWT) because it carries Wick's theorem as special instance, when one applies the GWT to time and normal orderings. We establish the GWT both for bosonic and fermionic operators, i.e., operators that satisfy c-number commutation and anticommutation relations respectively. We remarkably show that the GWT is the same, independent of the type of operator involved. By means of a few examples, we show how the GWT helps treat demanding problems by reducing the amount of calculations required.
In Gaudin (1960), Michel Gaudin showed the Wick's theorem at finite temperature using a diagonal Hamiltonian. We extend the Gaudin's prove for a statistical density operator which depend on a quadratic Hamiltonian. To illustrate the utility of the theorem, we evaluate the ratio [−2]/\sqrt{[-^2]/}[−2]/​ of a homogeneous weakly interacting Bose gas at temperature below the Bose-Einstein condensation temperature. At this condition, the quadratic Hamiltonian approximation is valued and, in this evaluation, we show the sub-Poissonian behaviour of the fundamental state distribution at zero temperature.