Cutting rules in the real time formalisms at finite temperature

Abstract

In this paper, we review the set of rules specific to the calculation of the imaginary part of a Green's function at finite temperature in the real-time formalisms. Emphasis is put on the clarification of a recent controversy concerning these rules in the "1/2" formalism, more precisely on the issue related to the interpretation of these rules in terms of cut diagrams, like at T=0. On the second hand, new results are presented, enabling one to calculate the imaginary part of thermal Green's functions in other formulations of the real-time formalism, like the "retarded/advanced" formalism in which a lot of simplifications occur.