Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay

Credit Seminar Report

on
Introduction to Light-Front Dynamics

Submitted by:
Sudeep Saha (Roll:194120007)
Under the supervision of Prof. Asmita Mukherjee

Department of Physics
November 16, 2019

IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai

Maharashtra - 400076, India
 Acknowledgement

My deepest gratitude is to my advisor, Prof. Asmita Mukherjee. I have been

amazingly fortunate to have an advisor who gave me the freedom to explore
on my own, and at the same time gave the guidance to recover when my steps
faltered. Her patience and support helped me to overcome many crises and
finish this seminar.

i
Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Light-Front Dynamics 2
2.1 Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Dispersion Relation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

3 Homogeneous Lorentz Group 3

3.1 Group Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Generators In Light-Front Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4 Maxwell’s Equations in Vaccum 12

4.1 Transformation Properties of the fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

5 Notation, Conventions, and Useful Relations 14

6 Scalar Field Theory In Terms Of Light-Front Variables 16

6.1 Equal x+ commutation relation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6.2 Propagator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

7 Poincare Generators in Fock Space Representation 20

7.1 Fock Representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

8 Conclusion 22

ii
1 Introduction

Ten fundamental quantities are required to describe a dynamical system: en-

ergy, momentum, angular momentum and boost. In conventional Hamilto-
nian dynamics the dynamical variables are subjected to a physical condition
namely x0 = 0. According to Dirac other forms of relativistic dynamics are
also possible. For example, one can impose a condition that physical vari-
ables are subjected to a condition x+ = 0. The resulting dynamics is called
light-front dynamics.
In the usual equal-time field theory, the initial conditions are found on
a space-like hypersurface x0 = 0, which in quantum theories becomes the
surface of quantization. The time evolution of the system is given by the
equal-time Hamiltonian. In light-front, the initial conditions are fixed on a
light-like hypersurface x+ = x0 + x3 = 0, which is the surface of quantization.
It is tangential to the light-cone. The light-front time x+ and the x+ evolution
of the system is governed by the light-front Hamiltonian P − . For a system
of particles moving with relativistic speed, the world line of the particle lies
near the light-cone. But for a particle moving with a speed much less than
the speed of light, the world line lies near the time axis. So, if we choose
x+ as the new time direction, the time evolution of a relativistic system may
look like a non-relativistic system in ordinary space-time coordinate system.
As a result, relativistic dynamics is expected to become simple.
A relativistic dynamical system must be Lorentz invariant. The Lorentz
transformation is generated by ten generators: Hamiltonian, three momenta,
three boosts and three angular momenta. These generators satisfy Poincare
algebra, which is given in terms of 4-momenta P µ and generalised angular
momentum M µν as
[P µ , P ν ] = 0,
[P µ , M ρσ ] = i[g µρ P σ − g µσ P ρ ],
[M µν , M ρσ ] = i[−g µρ M νσ + g µσ M νρ − g νσ M µρ + g νρ M µσ ].
In the usual equal-time dynamics, the rotation and boost operators are given
by, Mij = ijk J k and M 0i = K i respectively. Out of the ten generators, the
Hamiltonian and the three boost generators are dynamical. Remaining six
generators are kinematical. The dynamical generators change the surface of
quantization whereas the action of kinematical generators do mot change the

1
quantization surface. In field theory, the Poincare generators are constructed
from the symmetric energy-momentum tensor T µν
Z
P = d3 xT 0µ ,
µ

Z
µν
M = d3 x[xν T 0µ − xµ T 0ν ].

. In light-front theory, the Poincare generators are given by

Z
1
Pµ = dx− d2 x⊥ T +µ
2
Z
1
M µν = dx− d2 x⊥ [xν T +µ − xµ T +ν ]
2
Here, x+ is the light-front time. The light-front Hamiltonian P − produces the
x+ evolution of the system. P + is the longitudinal momentum and P ⊥ are
transverse momenta. M +− = 2K 3 and M +i = E i are the light-front boosts.
M 12 = J 3 and M −i = F i are three rotations.
An important fact of the light-front theory is that the boost generators are
kinematical. The boost generator K 3 produces just a scale transformation
of the x+ and the transverse boosts act like non-relativistic Galilean boost,
i.e. under these boost transformations, x̃+ = x+ . The dynamical transverse
rotation operators F i change the surface of quantization, x+ = 0. So, the
kinematical subgroup of the Poincare group is increased and we have only
three dynamical generators, namely, the Hamiltonian and the two transverse
rotations.

2 Light-Front Dynamics
2.1 Definition

The variables x+ = x0 + x3 and x− = x0 − x3 are called light-front time and

longitudinal space variables respectively. Transverse variable x⊥ = (x1 , x2 ).

2.2 Dispersion Relation

Similar to light-front space-time variables, we can define k + = k 0 + k 3 as

longitudinal momentum and k − = k 0 − k 3 as light-front energy.

2
 we know for a free massive particle

k 2 = m2
or (k 0 )2 − (k 3 )2 − (k 1 )2 − (k 2 )2 = m2
or (k 0 + k 3 )(k 0 − k 3 ) − (k ⊥ )2 = m2
or k + k − − k ⊥ = m2
− (k ⊥ )2 + m2
or k = (1)
k+
From the above dispersion relation we can infer the following conclusions:
(1) Unlike the relativistic dispersion relation, there is no square root.
(2) Dependence of the energy k − on the transverse momentum k ⊥ is like
non-relativistic dispersion relation.
(3) For k + positive (negative) , k − is positive (negative).
(4) The dependence of energy on k ⊥ and k + is multiplicative. Large energy
can result from large k ⊥ or small k + .

3 Homogeneous Lorentz Group

We will consider the generators of boost and rotation in equal time dynamics.
Let us consider a boost along negative 3-axis. The relationship between
the space-time coordinates of the frame S̃, which is moving along the negative
3-axis with a speed v relative to another frame S, is given by,
x̃0 = γ(x0 + βx3 ) (2)
x̃3 = γ(x3 + βx0 ) (3)
where

v 1
β= and γ = p (4)
c 1 − β2
In terms of rapidity parameter φ, we can write,

γ = coshφ and γβ = sinhφ (5)

3
Then we have

x˜0
   
coshφ 0 0 sinhφ
 ˜1 
x  0 1 0 0 
 ˜2  = B 3 

 0
 (6)
x  0 1 0 
x˜3 sinhφ 0 0 coshφ

Where the boost matrix

 
coshφ 0 0 sinhφ
 0 1 0 0 
B3 = 
 0
 (7)
0 1 0 
sinhφ 0 0 coshφ
The generator of the boost transformation is defined as,
 
0 0 0 1
3
1 ∂B 0 0 0 0
K3 = |φ = 0 = −i  0 0 0
 (8)
i ∂φ 0
1 0 0 0
Similarly,
 
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0
K 2 = −i 
1
 (9)
0 0 0
0 0 0 0
and  
0 1 0 0
1 0 0 0
K 1 = −i 
0
 (10)
0 0 0
0 0 0 0
i
Note that, K i matrices are not hermitian so the operators eiφK are not uni-
tary.

4
 Next, we consider the rotations of a vector V~ about the 3-axis through an
angle θ in a clockwise manner. So we must have
 
V˜1
 1
V
 ˜2  3  2
V  = R V (11)
V˜3
3
V
Where the rotation matrix
 
cosθ sinθ 0
R3 = −sinθ cosθ 0 (12)
0 0 1
The generator J 3 of this rotation is given by,
 
0 1 0
1 ∂R3
J3 = |θ = 0 = −i −1 0 0 (13)
i ∂θ
0 0 0
In the 4-dimension we can define the rotation generators as,
 
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
J 3 = −i 
0 −1 0
 (14)
0
0 0 0 0

Similarly,  
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 −1
J 2 = −i 
0
 (15)
0 0 0
0 1 0 0

and  
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
J 1 = −i 

0
 (16)
0 0 1
0 0 −1 0
i
We note that that J i matrices are hermitian so the operators eiθJ are unitary.
Also note that the generators of rotations J i leave x0 = 0 invariant, whereas
the boost operators K i do not leave the x= 0 invariant.

5
3.1 Group Algebra

Now we will verify that our matrix representations of the generators of the
homogeneous Lorentz group satisfies the group algebra. To do that we will
compute the following commutation relations:
(i)
[J 1 , J 2 ] = J 1 J 2 − J 2 J 1
    
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0
J 1 J 2 = −1 
0 0 0 1  0 0 0 0  = 0
   
−1 0 0
0 0 −1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
    
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0
J 2 J 1 = −1 
    
0 0 0 0  0 0 0 1 = 0

0 0 0
0 1 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
J 1J 2 − J 2J 1 =  0 −1 0 0 = iJ
 3

0 0 0 0
Similarly taking cyclic permutation of the other generators we can prove the
following commutation relations,
[J 2 , J 3 ] = iJ 1 and [J 3 , J 1 ] = iJ 2
So, in general we can write,
[J i , J j ] = iijk J k (17)

(ii)
[J 1 , K 2 ] = J 1 K 2 − K 2 J 1
    
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
J 1 K 2 = −1 
0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 = 0
   
0 0 0
0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

6
     
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1
0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
K 2 J 1 = −1 
    
1 = 
0 0 0  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0
J 1J 2 − J 2J 1 = 
0 0
 = iK 3
0 0
1 0 0 0
Similarly taking cyclic permutation of the other generators we can prove the
following commutation relations,
[J 2 , K 3 ] = iK 1 and [J 3 , K 1 ] = iK 2
So, in general we can write,
[J i , K j ] = iijk K k (18)

(iii)

[K 1 , K 2 ] = K 1 K 2 − K 2 K 1
    
0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0
K 1 K 2 = −1 
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 = 0 0 0 0
   

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    
0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
K 2 K 1 = −1 
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 = 0 −1 0 0
   

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0
1 2 2 1
 0 0 1 0  = −iJ 3
K K − K K = −1  
0 −1 0 0
0 0 0 0
Similarly taking cyclic permutation of the other generators we can prove the
following commutation relations,
[K 2 , K 3 ] = −iJ 1 and [K 3 , K 1 ] = −iJ 2

7
So, in general we can write,
[K i , K j ] = −iijk J k (19)

Now introducing, M µν = xµ ∂ ν − xν ∂ µ , so that M ij = ijk J k and M 0i = K i .

Then the commutator algebra of the Lorentz group can be summarised as,
[M µν , M ρσ ] = g νρ M µσ − g νσ M µρ + g µσ M νρ − g µρ M νσ (20)

3.2 Generators In Light-Front Variables

Recall that under a boost transformation along the 3-axis,

x̃0 = x0 coshφ + x3 sinhφ x̃3 = x0 sinhφ + x3 coshφ (21)
So under Lorentz transformation,
x̃+ = x̃0 + x̃3 (22)
= x0 (coshφ + sinhφ) + x3 (coshφ + sinhφ)
1 1
= [ (eφ + e−φ ) + (eφ − e−φ )](x0 + x3 )
2 2
φ +
=e x
Similarly,
x̃− = e−φ x− (23)
Thus boost transformation along the 3-axis becomes scale transformation for
the variables x+ and x− . Thus x+ = 0 is invariant under boost transforma-
tion.

Now, we define
E 1 = −K 1 + J 2
Explicitly
 
0 −1 0 0
−1 0 0 −1
E 1 = −i 
0 0 0 0
 (24)
0 1 0 0

8
For infinitesimal φ,
 
1 −φ 0 0
1 −φ 1 0 −φ
eiφE = 1 + iφE 1 = 
 0
 (25)
0 1 0 
0 φ 0 1
Under this transformation,
x̃0 = x0 − φx1 , (26)
x̃1 = −φx0 + x1 − φx3 = x1 − φx+
x̃2 = x2
x̃3 = φx1 + x3
thus,
x̃+ = x̃0 + x̃3 = x0 − φx1 + φx1 + x3 = x0 + x3 = x+ (27)
The x̃+ variable remains invariant under E 1 . The action of E 1 is like a
Galilean boost in non-relativistic mechanics.

Define F 1 = −K 1 − J 2 . Explicitly we can write,

 
0 −1 0 0
−1 0 0 1
F 1 = −i 
 0 0 0 0
 (28)
0 −1 0 0
For infinitesinal φ,
 
1 −φ 0 0
1 −φ 1 0 φ
eiφF = 1 + iφF 1 = 
 0
 (29)
0 1 0
0 −φ 0 1
Under this transformation,
x̃0 = x0 − φx1 ,
x̃1 = −φx0 + x + φx3 = x1 − φx− ,
x̃2 = x2 ,
x̃3 = −φx1 + x3 . (30)
Thus,
x̃+ = x+ − 2φx1 (31)

9
 Define, Define E 2 = −K 1 − J 1 . Explicitly we can write,
 
0 0 −1 0
0 0 0 0
E 2 = −i −1 0 0 −1
 (32)
0 0 1 0
For infinitesinal φ,
 
1 0 −φ 0
2 0 1 0 0 
eiφE = 1 + iφE 2 = 

−φ
 (33)
0 1 −φ
0 0 1 0
Under this transformation,
x̃0 = x0 − φx2 ,
x̃1 = x1 ,
x̃2 = −φx0 + x2 − φx3 = x2 − φx+ ,
x̃3 = φx2 + x3 . (34)
Thus,
x̃+ = x+ (35)
Thus the action of E 2 is also just like a Galilean boost in non-relativistic
mechanics.

Define,F 2 = −K 1 + J 1 . Explicitly we can write,

 
0 0 −1 0
0 0 0 0
F 2 = −i 
−1
 (36)
0 0 1
0 0 −1 0
For infinitesinal φ,
 
1 0 −φ 0
2  0 1 0 0
eiφF = 1 + iφF 2 = 
−φ
 (37)
0 1 φ
0 0 −φ 0

10
Under this transformation,
x̃0 = x0 − φx2 ,
x̃1 = x1 ,
x̃2 = x2 − φx0 + φx3 ,
x̃3 = −φx2 + x3 . (38)
Thus,
x̃+ = x+ − 2φx2 (39)
For rotation about 3-axis, we have for infinitesimal φ,
 
1 0 0 0
3 0 1 −φ 0
eiφJ = 1 + iφJ 3 = 

0 φ 1
 (40)
0
0 0 0 1
Under this transformation,
x̃0 = x0 ,
x̃1 = x1 + φx2 ,
x̃2 = x2 − φx1 +,
x̃3 = x3 . (41)
Thus,
x̃+ = x+ (42)

Thus, among the six generators of the homogeneous Lorentz group the four
generators K 3 , J 3 , E 1 , and E 2 leaves x+ = 0 invariant while the two other
generators F 1 and F 2 do not leave x+ = 0 invariant.
We can explicitly verify,
[F 1 , F 2 ] = 0, [J 3 , F i ] = iij F j i, j = 1, 2 (43)
with 12 = −21 = 1, 11 = 22 = 0.
Thus, J 3 , F 1 and F 2 form a close algebra.
Also,
[E 1 , E 2 ] = 0, [K 3 , E i ] = iE i (44)
Thus, K 3 , E 1 , and E 2 form a closed algebra.

11
 In the next section, we will derive the transformation properties of the
~ and the magnetic field B
electric field E ~ under Lorentz transformation using
Maxwell’s equations and Light-Front variables

4 Maxwell’s Equations in Vaccum

The anti-symmetric tensor is defined as,

F µν = ∂ µ Aν − ∂ ν Aµ (45)
It has six components and we can choose them to be,
F 0i = −E i , and F ij = −ijk B k . (46)
We can write the source-free Maxwell’s equations in terms of F µν .
The source-free Maxwell’s equations
~
∂E ~
∂B
~ ·E
∇ ~ = 0, ~ ·B
∇ ~ = 0, ~ ~
∇×B = , ~ ~
∇×E =− (47)
∂t ∂t
can be written in a compact form
∂µ F µν = 0, ∂µ Fνλ + ∂ν Fλµ + ∂λ Fµν = 0 (48)
Note: Maxwell’s equations are invariant under the following transformation
~ → B,
E ~ ~ → −E
B ~ (49)

4.1 Transformation Properties of the fields

Introducing the Light-Front variables

x+ = t + z, x− = t − z and (x1 , x2 ) = (x, y) (50)
Using the above definition we can write
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂
= + − −, = ++ − (51)
∂z ∂x ∂x ∂t ∂x ∂x
Now from equations
~
∂B
~ ·B
∇ ~ = 0, and ~ ~
∇×E =− (52)
∂t

12
we can get
∂B 1 ∂B 2 ∂B 3
+ + =0 (53)
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂E 3 ∂E 2 ∂B 1
− + =0 (54)
∂y ∂z ∂t
∂E 1 ∂E 3 ∂B 2
− + =0 (55)
∂z ∂x ∂t
∂E 2 ∂E 1 ∂B 3
− + =0 (56)
∂x ∂y ∂t
From equation-54 we can get
∂E 3 ∂(E 2 − B 1 ) ∂(E 2 + B 1 )
− + =0 (57)
∂y ∂x+ ∂x−
Similarly, from equation-55 we can get
∂E 3 ∂(E 1 + B 2 ) ∂(E − B 2 )
− + =0 (58)
∂x ∂x+ ∂x−
From equation-53 and 56 we can get
∂(E 1 − B 2 ) ∂(E 2 + B 1 ) ∂B 3
− −2 + =0 (59)
∂y ∂x ∂x
Now, under the boost along negative 3-axis the variables x+ and x− changes
by a scale factor as derived in equation-22 and equation-23. So using those
transformations we will have
∂ −φ ∂ ∂ φ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂
= e , = e , = , = (60)
∂ x̃+ ∂x+ ∂ x̃− ∂x− ∂ x̃ ∂x ∂ ỹ ∂y
So, we must have
∂E 3 2
φ ∂(E − B )
1 2
−φ ∂(E + B )
1
−e +e =0 (61)
∂ ỹ ∂ x̃+ ∂ x̃−
∂E 3 1
φ ∂(E + B )
2 1
−φ ∂(E − B )
2
−e +e =0 (62)
∂ x̃ ∂ x̃+ ∂ x̃−
∂(E 1 − B 2 ) ∂(E 2 + B 1 ) φ ∂B
3
− − 2e =0 (63)
∂ ỹ ∂ x̃ ∂ x̃+

13
Now, if we require to form an invariance between the equations-(57,58,59)
and equations-(61,62,63) then we would have
Ẽ 3 = E 3 (64)
(Ẽ 2 − B̃ 1 ) = eφ (E 2 − B 1 )
(Ẽ 2 + B̃ 1 ) = e−φ (E 2 + B 1 )
(Ẽ 2 + B̃ 2 ) = eφ (E 1 + B 2 )
(Ẽ 1 + B̃ 2 ) = e−φ (E 1 − B 2 )
From the above set of equations it follows that
Ẽ 3 = E 3
B̃ 3 = B 3
Ẽ 1 = E 1 coshφ + B 2 sinhφ (65)
Ẽ 2 = E 2 coshφ − B 1 sinhφ
B̃ 1 = B 1 coshφ − E 2 sinhφ
B̃ 2 = B 2 coshφ + E 1 sinhφ
In the following section we will consider the free scalar field theory in the
light-front formulation. We will also discuss the the equal-x+ commutation
relations and propagator for the scalar field theory. Before get into that
discussion we will discuss some notation, conventions and useful relations
which will be needed in our further discussions.

5 Notation, Conventions, and Useful Relations

A four vectorxµ is denoted by

xµ = (x0 , x3 , x1 , x2 ) = (x0 , x3 , x⊥ ) (66)
Scalar product is defined as
x · y = x0 y 0 − x3 y 3 − x⊥ y ⊥ (67)
Light-front variables
x+ = x0 + x3 , x− = x0 − x3 (68)
Let us denote the four-vector xµ by
xµ = (x+ , x− , x⊥ ) (69)

14
Scalar product
x · y = (x0 )2 − (x3 )2 − (x⊥ )2 (70)
1 1
= x+ y − + x− y + − x⊥ y ⊥
2 2
The metric tensor is
 1   
0 0 0
2 0 2 0 0
 1 0 0 0  µν 2 0 0 0 
gµν = 2
0 0 −1 0  g = 0 0 −1 0  (71)
  

0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 −1
Thus
1 1
x− = x+ , x+ = x− (72)
2 2
Partial derivatives
∂ + = 2∂− , ∂ − = 2∂+ (73)
Four dimensional volume element
1
d4 x = dx0 dx1 dx2 dx3 = dx+ dx− d2 x⊥ (74)
2
Three dimensional volume element
1
[d3 x] = dx− d2 x⊥ (75)
2
Lorentz invariant volume element in momentum space

3 dk + d2 k ⊥
[d k] = (76)
2(2π)3 k +
The step function
θ(x) = 0, x<0 (77)
= 1, x>0 (78)
The anti-symmetric step function
(x) = θ(x) − θ(−x) (79)
∂
= 2δ(x) (80)
∂x
Where the delta function
|x| = x(x) (81)

15
6 Scalar Field Theory In Terms Of Light-Front Variables

The Lagrangian density for scalar field theory is given by

1 1
L = (∂µ φ)(∂ µ φ) − m2 φ2 (82)
2 2
Here µ = +, −, 1, 2
So, Lagrangian density in terms of light-front variables is
1 1 1
L = (∂ + φ)(∂ − φ) − (∂ ⊥ φ) · (∂ ⊥ φ) − m2 φ2 (83)
2 2 2
From the Euler-Lagrange equation of motion
h ∂L i ∂L
∂µ = (84)
∂(∂µ φ(x)) ∂φ(x)
Using the Lagrangian density of equation 83 we will have
[∂ + ∂ − − (∂ ⊥ )2 + m2 ]φ = 0 (85)
In scalar field theory the field operator φ(x) in terms of creation and annihi-
lation operator is given by
d3 k
Z
φ(x) = p (e−ik·x a(k) + eik·x a† (k)) (86)
3
(2π) 2k 0

So, in terms of light-front variables it can be written as

Z ∞ + 2 ⊥
dk d k
φ(x) = + 3
(e−ik·x a(k) + eik·x a† (k)) (87)
0+ 2k (2π)

The commutators are

[a(k), a† (k 0 )] = 2(2π)3 k + δ 3 (k − k 0 ), (88)
[a(k), a(k 0 )] = 0 = [a† (k), a† (k 0 )]
Single particle state
|ki = a† (k)|0i (89)
and has the normalization
hk 0 |ki = 2(2π)3 k + δ 3 (k − k 0 ) (90)

16
6.1 Equal x+ commutation relation

For free field theory, the equal time commutator of φ(x) and φ(y) for arbitrary
x and y is given by
Z
1
[φ(x), φ(y)]x0 =y0 = 3
d4 k δ(k 4 − m2 )θ(k 0 )[e−ik·(x−y) − eik·(x−y) ] (91)
(2π)
We know k + = k 0 + k 3 and k − = k 0 − k 3 . Thus,
k+ + k−
0
k =
2
Now, let’s calculate this integral in light-front variables.
[φ(x), φ(y)]x+ =y+ (92)
Z 2 ⊥ Z +∞ Z +∞  + −

1 dk k + k
= 3
dk + dk − δ(k + k − − (k ⊥ )2 − m2 )θ
2 (2π) −∞ −∞ 2
1 − − − ⊥ ⊥ ⊥ 1 − − − ⊥ ⊥
+ + 1 + + + 1 +
−y ⊥ ))
[e−i( 2 k (x −y )+ 2 k (x −y )−k ·(x −y )) − ei( 2 k (x −y )+ 2 k (x −y )−k ·(x ]x+ =y+
Z 2 ⊥ Z +∞ + Z +∞ ⊥ 2 2
 + −

1 dk dk (k ) + m k + k
= dk − δ(k − − θ (93)
2 (2π)3 −∞ k+ −∞ k+ 2
1 − + + 1 + − − ⊥ ⊥ ⊥ 1 − + + 1 + − − ⊥ ⊥ ⊥
[e−i( 2 k (x −y )+ 2 k (x −y )−k ·(x −y )) − ei( 2 k (x −y )+ 2 k (x −y )−k ·(x −y )) ]x+ =y+
Z 2 ⊥ Z +∞ +
1 dk dk −i( 1 k+ (x− −y− )−k⊥ ·(x⊥ −y⊥ )) i( 21 k + (x− −y − )−k ⊥ ·(x⊥ −y ⊥ ))
= [e 2 − e ]
2 (2π)3 −∞ k+
Changing k ⊥ → k −⊥ in the 2nd integral
d k k⊥ ·(x⊥ −y⊥ ) +∞ dk + −i k+ (x− −y− )
Z 2 ⊥ Z
1 +
i k2 (x− −y − )
= e [e 2 −e ]
2(2π) (2π)2 −∞ k
+
Z +∞ +
i 2 ⊥ ⊥ 1 dk −i k+ (x− −y− ) +
i k2 (x− −y − )
= δ (x − y ) [e 2 − e ]
2 2πi −∞ k +
Z +∞ + Z +∞
i 2 ⊥ 1 dk k+ − − 1 dk + −i k+ (y− −x− )
= lim δ (x − y ⊥ )[ e −i 2 (x −y )
− e 2 ]
→0 2 2πi −∞ k + + i 2πi −∞ k + + i
i
= δ 2 (x⊥ − y ⊥ )[θ(x− − y − ) − θ(y − − x− )]
2
i
= (x− − y − )δ 2 (x⊥ − y ⊥ )
2
So
i
[φ(x), φ(y)]x+ =y+ = (x− − y − )δ 2 (x⊥ − y ⊥ ) (94)
2
17
Here, we have used the definition
+∞
e−itx
Z
1
θ(x) = lim dt
→0 2πi −∞ t + i
If we compare the commutator relation with the equal-time commutator,
namely,
[φ(x), φ(y)]x0 =y0 = 0,
for x0 = y 0 , the two fields are separated by a space-like interval. So, to
respect microscopic causality the commutator has to be zero. But, this is not
the case for equal x+ commutator. for x+ = y + , if x⊥ 6= y ⊥ , the two fields
are separated by a space-like distance and so the commutator has to vanish.
On the other hand, for x+ = y + and x⊥ = y ⊥ , the two fields are separated
by a light like distance and so the commutator need not vanish.

6.2 Propagator

We consider now the scalar field propagator. Let S¯B denote the scalar field
propagator in light-front theory.
Equation of motion
[∂ + ∂ − − (∂ ⊥ )2 + m2 ]φ(x) = 0
The Green’s function is defined as
[∂ + ∂ − − (∂ ⊥ )2 + m2 ]G(x − y) = −δ 4 (x − y) (95)
Where
d4 k −ik·(x−y)
Z
G(x − y) = e G(k)
(2π)4
So,
d4 k −ik·(x−y)
Z
+ − ⊥ 2 2
[∂ ∂ − (∂ ) + m ] e G(k)
(2π)4
d4 k −ik·(x−y)
Z
⊥ 2 2
= [4∂+ ∂− − (∂ ) + m ] e G(k)
(2π)4
d4 k
Z
= 4
[−k + k − + (k ⊥ )2 + m2 ]e−ik·(x−y) G(k)
(2π)
d4 k
Z
= 4
[−k 2 + m2 ]e−ik·(x−y) G(k)
(2π)

18
We know
d4 k −ik·(x−y)
Z
4
δ (x − y) = e
(2π)4
So, to satisfy equation-95, we must have
1
G(k) = (96)
k 2 − m2
So, the Green’s function is given by
d4 k e−ik·(x−y)
Z
G(x − y) = (97)
(2π)4 k 2 − m2
So, the propagator is given by,
d4 k e−ik·(x−y)
Z
S¯B = lim (98)
→0 (2π)4 k 2 − m2 + i
Now
k 2 − m2 + i = 0
or, k − k + − (k ( ⊥))2 − m2 + i = 0
− (k ⊥ )2 + m2
or, k ≈ − i (99)
k+
So, the k − integration has a pole.

S¯B (x − y) (100)
dk − dk + d2 k ⊥ e−ik·(x−y)
Z
= lim
2k + (2π)4 k − − (k⊥ )2++m2 − i


→0
k
1 − + +
+ 2 ⊥
e−i[ 2 k (x −y )]
Z Z
dk d k −i[ 12 k + (x− −y − )−k ⊥ ·(x⊥ −y ⊥ )] −
= lim e dk ⊥ 2 2
2k + (2π)4 k − − (k )k++m − i


→0

dk + d2 k ⊥
Z ⊥ 2 2
−i[ 12 k + (x− −y − )−k ⊥ ·(x⊥ −y ⊥ )] −i[( 21 (k k) ++m −i)(x+ −y + )]
= lim e (−2πi)e
→0 2k + (2π)4
dk + d2 k ⊥ −ik·(x−y)
Z
=−i e
2k + (2π)3
So
dk + d2 k ⊥
Z
iS¯B = e−ik·(x−y) (101)
2k + (2π)3
19
Now
dk + d2 k ⊥
Z
φ(y)|0i = |kieik·y
2k + (2π)3
dk + d2 k ⊥
Z
h0|φ(x) = + 3
e−ik·x hk|
2k (2π)
So, it is straight forward to show that
dk + d2 k ⊥
Z
h0|φ(x)φ(y)|0i = + 3
e−ik·(x−y) (102)
2k (2π)
Thus we can write
iS¯B (x − y) =h0|T + φ(x)φ(y)|0i (103)
=θ(x+ − y + )h0|φ(x)φ(y)|0i + θ(y + − x+ )h0|φ(y)φ(x)|0i
=iSBF (x − y)
Where SBF is the Feynman propagator for the scalar field. Thus, for a scalar
field, light-front propagator is the same as Feynman propagator.

7 Poincare Generators in Fock Space Representation

From the Lagrangian density, we can find the stress tensor T µν and from that,
we can construct the four-momentum P µ and generalised angular momentum
M µν . They are defined as follows
Z
1
µ
p = dx− d2 x⊥ T +µ , (104)
Z 2
1
M =µν
dx− d2 x⊥ [xν T +µ − xµ T +ν ] (105)
2
M µν is anti-symmetric and has six independent components. Poincare alge-
bra in terms of P µ and M µν is given by
[P µ , P ν ] = 0, (106)
[P µ , M ρσ ] = i[g µρ P σ − g µσ P ρ ], (107)
[M µν , M ρσ ] = i[−g µρ M νσ + g µσ M νρ − g νσ M µρ + g νρ M µσ ] (108)
In light-front dynamics P − is the Hamiltonian and P + and P i (i = 1, 2) are
the momenta. M +− = 2K 3 and M +i = E i are the boosts. M 12 = J 3 and

20
M −i = F i are rotations.
Now
T µν = ∂ µ ∂ ν − g µν L. (109)
with
1 1
L = ∂µ ∂ µ − m2 φ2 (110)
2 2
The momentum operators are given by
Z
1
P+ = dx− d2 x⊥ ∂ + φ∂ + φ, (111)
2 Z
1
Pi = dx− d2 x⊥ ∂ + φ∂ i φ. (112)
2
The Hamiltonian operator is given by
Z
− 1
P = dx− d2 x⊥ [∂ i φ∂ i φ + m2 φ2 ]. (113)
2
The boost generators are(at x+ = 0)
Z
1
K3 = dx− d2 x⊥ x− ∂ + φ∂ + φ, (114)
4 Z
1
Ei = dx− d2 x⊥ xi ∂ + φ∂ + φ. (115)
2
The rotation generators are
Z
1
3
J =− dx− d2 x⊥ ∂ + φ[x1 ∂ 2 φ − x2 ∂ 1 φ], (116)
Z 2
1
Fi = − dx− d2 x⊥ [x− ∂ + φ∂ i φ − xi (∂ ⊥ φ · ∂ ⊥ φ + m2 φ2 )]. (117)
2

7.1 Fock Representation

In this section, we will construct the Poincare generators of free scalar field
theory in Fock representation.
Now Z
1
+
P = dx− d2 x⊥ (∂ + φ)(∂ + φ) (118)
2
∂ + φ(x) = 2∂− φ
dk + d2 k ⊥ +
Z
=i + 3
k [−a(k)e−ik·x + a† (k)eik·x ]
2k (2π)

21
Substituting this in equation-118 we will get after performing the integration
dk + d2 k ⊥ +
Z
1
+
P =− + 3
k [a(k)a(−k) − a(k)a† (k) − a† (k)a(k) + a† (k)a† (−k)]
2 2k (2π)
(119)
Now, ~k = (k , k , k ), and −~k means a component with negative k . But
+ 1 2 +

in light-front dynamics k + is positive always by definition. a(−k) denotes

annihilation of a particle with negative momentum and a† (k) denotes the
creation of a particle with negative momentum. Both are unphysical in this
context. So, we can safely neglect the 1st and 4th term of equation-119. After
normal ordering of the operators, we finally get
dk + d2 k ⊥ + †
Z
+ 1
P = k a (k)a(k) (120)
2 2k + (2π)3
Similarly, we can get the following Fock space representation of the Poincare
generators
dk + d2 k ⊥ i †
Z
i
P = k a (k)a(k) (121)
2k + (2π)3
dk + d2 k ⊥
Z  
3 ∂ †
K =i + 3 +
a (k) k + a(k) (122)
2k (2π) ∂k
dk + d2 k ⊥ ∂ †
Z  
i
E = −i + 3 i
a (k) k + a(k) (123)
2k (2π) ∂k
+ 2 ⊥
Z  
dk d k ∂ ∂
J 3 = −i + 3
[k 1 2 − k 2 1 ]a† (k) a(k) (124)
2k (2π) ∂k ∂k
+ 2 ⊥ ⊥ 2 + 2 ⊥
Z 2
  Z  † 
dk d k m + (k ) ∂ † dk d k i ∂a (k)
F i = −i a (k) a(k) − 2i k a(k)
2k + (2π)3 k+ ∂k i 2k + (2π)3 ∂k +
(125)

8 Conclusion

The Light-front formulation provides us with a new way to approach a dy-

namical system. Unlike relativistic dynamics there is no square root in the
dispersion relation, even the dependance of the light-front energy k − on the
transverse momentum k ⊥ is just like in non-relativistic dispersion relation.
In equal-time dynamics all the three boost generators are dynamical, but
in light-front dynamics the boost generator K 3 becomes kinematical. So,

22
kinematical subgroup of generators in the Poincare group increased. This
~ and B
formulation also produced the right transformation equations for E ~ of
Maxwell’s equations. In the context of scalar field theory in terms of light-
front variables the equal x+ commutator of two fields φ(x) and φ(y) is not
in general zero, but it respects the microscopic causality. The scalar field
light-front propagator, on the other hand, remains the same as the Feynman
propagator of equal-time theory. Finally, the Poincare generators of scalar
field theory can be expressed in Fock representation.

References

[1] A. Lahiri and Palash B. Pal, A First Book of Quantum Field Theory
[2] James D. Bjorken and Sidney D. Drell, Relativistic Quantum Fields
[3] A. Das, Lectures on Quantum Field Theory
[4] David tong, Lectures on Quantum Field Theory, University of Cam-
bridge
[5] Avaroth Harindranath, An Introduction to Light-Front Dynamics for
Pedestrians, arXiv:hep-ph/9612244v2

23