Non-existence of Goldstone bosons with non-zero helicity

In a local relativistic quantum field theory a conserved covariant tensor current may lead to a spontaneously broken symmetry if it generates zero mass states from the vacuum (Goldstone theorem). Here it is shown that in addition it is necessary that these massless states have helicity zero if the underlaying state space has a positive metric.     

Models of Local Relativistic Quantum Fields with Indefinite Metric (in All Dimensions)

A condition on a set of truncated Wightman functions is formulated and shown to permit the construction of the Hilbert space structure included in the Morchio--Strocchi modified Wightman axioms. The truncated Wightman functions which are obtained by analytic continuation of the (truncated) Schwinger functions of Euclidean scalar random fields and covariant vector (quaternionic) random fields constructed via convoluted generalized white noise, are then shown to satisfy this condition. As a consequence such random fields provide relativistic models for indefinite metric quantum field theory, in dimension 4 (vector case), respectively in all dimensions (scalar case). Received: 25 April 1996 / Accepted: 29 July 1996     

Remarks on some new models of interacting quantum fields with indefinite metric

We study quantum field models in indefinite metric. We introduce the modified Wightman axioms of Morchio and Strocchi as a general framework of indefinite metric quantum field theory (QFT) and present concrete interacting relativistic models obtained by analytical continuation from some stochastic processes with Euclidean invariance. As a first step towards scattering theory in indefinite metric QFT, we give a proof of the spectral condition on the translation group for the relativistic models.     

A Kinetic Theory Approach to Quantum Gravity

We describe a kinetic theory approach to quantum gravity by which we mean a theory of the microscopic structure of space-time, not a theory obtained by quantizing general relativity. A figurative conception of this program is like building a ladder with two knotty poles: quantum matter field on the right and space-time on the left. Each rung connecting the corresponding knots represents a distinct level of structure. The lowest rung is hydrodynamics and general relativity; the next rung is semiclassical gravity, with the expectation value of quantum fields acting as source in the semiclassical Einstein equation. We recall how ideas from the statistical mechanics of interacting quantum fields helped us identify the existence of noise in the matter field and its effect on metric fluctuations, leading to the establishment of the third rung: stochastic gravity, described by the Einstein–Langevin equation. Our pathway from stochastic to quantum gravity is via the correlation hierarchy of noise and induced metric fluctuations. Three essential tasks beckon: (1) deduce the correlations of metric fluctuations from correlation noise in the matter field; (2) reconstituting quantum coherence—this is the reverse of decoherence—from these correlation functions; and (3) use the Boltzmann–Langevin equations to identify distinct collective variables depicting recognizable metastable structures in the kinetic and hydrodynamic regimes of quantum matter fields and how they demand of their corresponding space-time counterparts. This will give us a hierarchy of generalized stochastic equations—call them the Boltzmann–Einstein hierarchy of quantum gravity—for each level of space-time structure, from the the macroscopic (general relativity) through the mesoscopic (stochastic gravity) to the microscopic (quantum gravity).     

Scattering Theory for Quantum Fields¶with Indefinite Metric

In this work, we discuss the scattering theory of local, relativistic quantum fields with indefinite metric. Since the results of Haag–Ruelle theory do not carry over to the case of indefinite metric [4], we propose an axiomatic framework for the construction of in- and out-states, such that the LSZ asymptotic condition can be derived from the assumptions. The central mathematical object for this construction is the collection of mixed vacuum expectation values of local, in- and out-fields, called the “form factor functional”, which is required to fulfill a Hilbert space structure condition. Given a scattering matrix with polynomial transfer functions, we then construct interpolating, local, relativistic quantum fields with indefinite metric, which fit into the given scattering framework. Received: 13 September 1999/ Accepted: 1 August 2000     

Hyperfunction Quantum Field Theory: Localized Fields Without Localized Test Functions

This note addresses the problem of localization in quantum field theory; more specifically we contribute to the ongoing discussion about the most appropriate concept of localization which one should use in relativistic quantum field theory: through localized test functions or through the fields directly without localized test functions. In standard quantum field theory, i.e., in relativistic quantum field theory in terms of tempered distributions according to Gårding and Wightman, this is done through localized test functions. In hyperfunction quantum field theory (HFQFT), i.e., relativistic quantum field theory in terms of Fourier hyperfunctions this is done through the fields themselves. In support of the second approach we show here that it has a much wider range of applicability. It can even be applied to relativistic quantum field theories which do not admit compactly supported test functions at all. In our construction of explicit models we rely on basic results from the theory of quasi-analytic functions.     

On some meaningful inner product for real Klein—Gordon fields with positive semi-definite norm

A simple derivation of a meaningful, manifestly covariant inner product for real Klein—Gordon (KG) fields with positive semi-definite norm is provided, which turns out — assuming a symmetric bilinear form — to be the real-KG-field limit of the inner product for complex KG fields reviewed by A. Mostafazadeh and F. Zamani in December 2003, and February 2006 (quant-ph/0312078, quant-ph/0602151, quant-ph/0602161). It is explicitly shown that the positive semi-definite norm associated with the derived inner product for real KG fields measures the number of active positive and negative energy Fourier-modes of the real KG field on the relativistic mass shell. The very existence of an inner product with positive semi-definite norm for the considered real, i.e. neutral, KG fields shows that the metric operator entering the inner product does not contain the charge-conjugation operator. This observation sheds some additional light on the meaning of the C operator in the CPT inner product of PT-symmetric quantum mechanics defined by C.M. Bender, D.C. Brody and H.F. Jones.     

Intermediate quantum statistics for identical objects

Methods to construct various algebras of creation and annihilation operators of physical objects in complex quantum state spaces with a nonnegative metric are proposed. All allowed algebras for the cases of identical nonrelativistic systems in the second quantization of the Schrodinger equation, of identical quanta of relativistic tensor fields, and of identical quanta of relativistic spinor fields are constructed. A comparison of the obtained algebras with the well-known algebras of this type (Fermi, Bose, para-Fermi, and superalgebras) is given.     

On the Interaction of Fermion and Boson Fields with the Gravitational Field

We point out that the gravitational field taken by itself cannot be considered as a gauge field. Only an affinity and not a metric can serve as a gauge field. Originally, metric and affinity are completely independent of each other. This fact allows in a natural way to formulate a restricted principle of relativity, according to which only fermion fields may show that there exist a priori distinguished frames of reference. Furthermore, we can couple the gravitational field to boson and fermion fields such that the flat metric or tetrads orthonormalized with respect to this flat metric appearing in the special relativistic matter Lagrangian, are replaced by a Riemannian metric and tetrads orthonormalized with respect to this metric (principle of most minimal gravitational coupling). This coupling principle is a strong restriction on the existence of independent boson fields. Only scalar and vector fields and their different pseudoquantities are possible as independent fields. Boson fields of higher rank are to be considered as fusions of these (pseudo)scalar and (pseudo)vector fields. Theire field equations follow from those of the (pseudo)scalar and (pseudo)vector fields.     

Deriving relativistic Bohmian quantum potential using variational method and conformal transformations

In this paper we shall argue that conformal transformations give some new aspects to a metric and changes the physics that arises from the classical metric. It is equivalent to adding a new potential to relativistic Hamilton–Jacobi equation. We start by using conformal transformations on a metric and obtain modified geodesics. Then, we try to show that extra terms in the modified geodesics are indications of a background force. We obtain this potential by using variational method. Then, we see that this background potential is the same as the Bohmian non-local quantum potential. This approach gives a method stronger than Bohm’s original method in deriving Bohmian quantum potential. We do not use any quantum mechanical postulates in this approach.     

Cartan–Weyl Dirac and Laplacian Operators,Brownian Motions: The Quantum Potential and Scalar Curvature,Maxwell’s and Dirac-Hestenes Equations,and Supersymmetric Systems

We present the Dirac and Laplacian operators on Clifford bundles over space–time, associated to metric compatible linear connections of Cartan–Weyl, with trace-torsion, Q. In the case of nondegenerate metrics, we obtain a theory of generalized Brownian motions whose drift is the metric conjugate of Q. We give the constitutive equations for Q. We find that it contains Maxwell’s equations, characterized by two potentials, an harmonic one which has a zero field (Bohm-Aharonov potential) and a coexact term that generalizes the Hertz potential of Maxwell’s equations in Minkowski space.We develop the theory of the Hertz potential for a general Riemannian manifold. We study the invariant state for the theory, and determine the decomposition of Q in this state which has an invariant Born measure. In addition to the logarithmic potential derivative term, we have the previous Maxwellian potentials normalized by the invariant density. We characterize the time-evolution irreversibility of the Brownian motions generated by the Cartan–Weyl laplacians, in terms of these normalized Maxwell’s potentials. We prove the equivalence of the sourceless Maxwell equation on Minkowski space, and the Dirac-Hestenes equation for a Dirac-Hestenes spinor field written on Minkowski space provided with a Cartan–Weyl connection. If Q is characterized by the invariant state of the diffusion process generated on Euclidean space, then the Maxwell’s potentials appearing in Q can be seen alternatively as derived from the internal rotational degrees of freedom of the Dirac-Hestenes spinor field, yet the equivalence between Maxwell’s equation and Dirac-Hestenes equations is valid if we have that these potentials have only two components corresponding to the spin-plane. We present Lorentz-invariant diffusion representations for the Cartan–Weyl connections that sustain the equivalence of these equations, and furthermore, the diffusion of differential forms along these Brownian motions. We prove that the construction of the relativistic Brownian motion theory for the flat Minkowski metric, follows from the choices of the degenerate Clifford structure and the Oron and Horwitz relativistic Gaussian, instead of the Euclidean structure and the orthogonal invariant Gaussian. We further indicate the random Poincaré–Cartan invariants of phase-space provided with the canonical symplectic structure. We introduce the energy-form of the exact terms of Q and derive the relativistic quantum potential from the groundstate representation. We derive the field equations corresponding to these exact terms from an average on the invariant state Cartan scalar curvature, and find that the quantum potential can be identified with 1 / 12R(g), where R(g) is the metric scalar curvature. We establish a link between an anisotropic noise tensor and the genesis of a gravitational field in terms of the generalized Brownian motions. Thus, when we have a nontrivial curvature, we can identify the quantum nonlocal correlations with the gravitational field. We discuss the relations of this work with the heat kernel approach in quantum gravity. We finally present for the case of Q restricted to this exact term a supersymmetric system, in the classical sense due to E.Witten, and discuss the possible extensions to include the electromagnetic potential terms of Q     

Anandan quantum phase for a neutral particle with Fermi–Walker reference frame in the cosmic string background

We study geometric quantum phases in the relativistic and non-relativistic quantum dynamics of a neutral particle with a permanent magnetic dipole moment interacting with two distinct field configurations in a cosmic string spacetime. We consider the local reference frames of the observers are transported via Fermi–Walker transport and study the influence of the non-inertial effects on the phase shift of the wave function of the neutral particle due to the choice of this local frame. We show that the wave function of the neutral particle acquires non-dispersive relativistic and non-relativistic quantum geometric phases due to the topology of the spacetime, the interaction between the magnetic dipole moment with external fields and the spin–rotation coupling. However, due to the Fermi–Walker reference frame, no phase shift associated to the Sagnac effect appears in the quantum dynamics of a neutral particle. We show that in the absence of topological defect, the contribution to the quantum phase due to the spin–rotation coupling is equivalent to the Mashhoon effect in non-relativistic dynamics.     

Classical geometry to quantum behavior correspondence in a virtual extra dimension

In the Lorentz invariant formalism of compact space–time dimensions the assumption of periodic boundary conditions represents a consistent semi-classical quantization condition for relativistic fields. In Dolce (2011) [18] we have shown, for instance, that the ordinary Feynman path integral is obtained from the interference between the classical paths with different winding numbers associated with the cyclic dynamics of the field solutions. By means of the boundary conditions, the kinematical information of interactions can be encoded on the relativistic geometrodynamics of the boundary, see Dolce (2012) [8]. Furthermore, such a purely four-dimensional theory is manifestly dual to an extra-dimensional field theory. The resulting correspondence between extra-dimensional geometrodynamics and ordinary quantum behavior can be interpreted in terms of AdS/CFT correspondence. By applying this approach to a simple Quark–Gluon–Plasma freeze-out model we obtain fundamental analogies with basic aspects of AdS/QCD phenomenology.     

Local Fields Without Restrictions on the Spectrum of 4-Momentum Operator and Relativistic Lindblad Equation

Quantum theory of Lorentz invariant local scalar fields without restrictions on 4-momentum spectrum is considered. The mass spectrum may be both discrete and continues and the square of mass as well as the energy may be positive or negative. One may assume the existence of such fields only if they interact with ordinary fields very weakly. Generalization of Kallen-Lehmann representation for propagators of these fields is found. The considered generalized fields may violate CPT-invariance. Restrictions on mass-spectrum of CPT-violating fields are found. Local fields that annihilate vacuum state and violate CPT-invariance are constructed in this scope. Correct local relativistic generalization of Lindblad equation for density matrix is written for such fields. This generalization is particularly needed to describe the evolution of quantum system and measurement process in a unique way. Difficulties arising when the field annihilating the vacuum interacts with ordinary fields are discussed.     

Magnon condensation into a Q ball in 3He-B

The theoretical prediction of Q balls in relativistic quantum fields is realized here experimentally in superfluid 3He-B. The condensed-matter analogs of relativistic Q balls are responsible for an extremely long-lived signal of magnetic induction observed in NMR at the lowest temperatures. This Q ball is another representative of a state with phase coherent precession of nuclear spins in 3He-B, similar to the well-known homogeneously precessing domain, which we interpret as Bose-Einstein condensation of spin waves--magnons. At large charge Q, the effect of self-localization is observed. In the language of relativistic quantum fields it is caused by interaction between the charged and neutral fields, where the neutral field provides the potential for the charged one. In the process of self-localization the charged field modifies locally the neutral field so that the potential well is formed in which the charge Q is condensed.     

Electromagnetic Field Theory Without Divergence Problems 1. The Born Legacy

Born's quest for the elusive divergence problem-free quantum theory of electromagnetism led to the important discovery of the nonlinear Maxwell–Born–Infeld equations for the classical electromagnetic fields, the sources of which are classical point charges in motion. The law of motion for these point charges has however been missing, because the Lorentz self-force in the relativistic Newtonian (formal) law of motion is ill-defined in magnitude and direction. In the present paper it is shown that a relativistic Hamilton–Jacobi type law of point charge motion can be consistently coupled with the nonlinear Maxwell–Born–Infeld field equations to obtain a well-defined relativistic classical electrodynamics with point charges. Curiously, while the point charges are spinless, the Pauli principle for bosons can be incorporated. Born's reasoning for calculating the value of his aether constant is re-assessed and found to be inconclusive.     

Nonequilibrium quantum field theories

Combining the Feynman-Vernon influence functional formalism with the real-time formulation of finite-temperature quantum field theories we present a general approach to relativistic quantum field theories out of thermal equilibrium. We clarify the physical meaning of the additional fields encountered in the real-time formulation of quantum statistics and outline diagrammatic rules for perturbative nonequilibrium computations. We derive a generalization of Boltzmann's equation which gives a complete characterization of relativistic nonequilibrium phenomena.     

Parity conservation and the Euclidean field formulation of relativistic quantum field theories

A method to construct Euclidean covariant fields corresponding to a relativistic quantum field theory with arbitrary spins is presented. The constructed fields act on a state space with an indefinite inner product, they commute (or anticommute) totally and (except for hermitian Fermion fields) adjoint relativistic fields correspond to adjoint Euclidean fields. The cases where this method can be applied include all Gårding-Wightman theories invariant under space inversion.     

Particle Trajectories for Quantum Field Theory

The formulation of quantum mechanics developed by Bohm, which can generate well-defined trajectories for the underlying particles in the theory, can equally well be applied to relativistic quantum field theories to generate dynamics for the underlying fields. However, it does not produce trajectories for the particles associated with these fields. Bell has shown that an extension of Bohm’s approach can be used to provide dynamics for the fermionic occupation numbers in a relativistic quantum field theory. In the present paper, Bell’s formulation is adopted and elaborated on, with a full account of all technical detail required to apply his approach to a bosonic quantum field theory on a lattice. This allows an explicit computation of (stochastic) trajectories for massive and massless particles in this theory. Also particle creation and annihilation, and their impact on particle propagation, is illustrated using this model.