Wick calculus

Alexander Wurm, Marcus Berg
2008 American Journal of Physics  
In quantum field theory the "normal ordering" of operators is routinely used, which amounts to shuffling all creation operators to the left. Potentially confusing is the occurrence in the literature of normal-ordered functions, sometimes called "Wick transforms." In this paper, we introduce the reader to some basic results, ideas, and mathematical subtleties about normal ordering of operators and functions. The intended audience are instructors of quantum field theory and researchers who are
more » ... erested but not specialists in mathematical physics.
doi:10.1119/1.2805232 fatcat:3soenuw3fjh63n4ollhodvckmu