Quantum theory: A Hilbert space formalism for probability theory

It is shown that the Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics can be derived as a corrected form of probability theory. These constructions yield the Schrödinger equation for a particle in an electromagnetic field and exhibit a relationship of this equation to Markov processes. The operator formalism for expectation values is shown to be related to anL ² representation of marginal distributions and a relationship of the commutation rules for canonically conjugate observables to a topological relationship of two manifolds is indicated.     

Eigenstates of the time-dependent density-matrix theory

An extended time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory, known as the time-dependent density-matrix theory (TDDM), is solved as a time-independent eigenvalue problem for low-lying 2 ⁺ states in ²⁴O to understand the foundation of the rather successful time-dependent approach. It is found that the calculated strength distribution of the 2 ⁺ states has physically reasonable behavior and that the strength function is practically positive definite though the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian matrix obtained from TDDM does not guarantee it. A relation to an Extended RPA theory with hermiticity is also investigated. It is found that the density-matrix formalism is a good approximation to the Hermitian Extended RPA theory.Received: 26 May 2003, Revised: 30 October 2003, Published online: 26 January 2004PACS: 21.60.Jz Hartree-Fock and random-phase approximations - 21.10.Re Collective levels     

On the canonical structure of the λϕ4 field theory

The proof of existence of a differentiable structure in the space of states in λ?⁴ theory is given. This structure renders possible applications of the Kijowski-Szczyrba formalism.     

UV/IR duality in noncommutative quantum field theory

We review the construction of renormalizable noncommutative Euclidean ϕ⁴-theories based on the UV/IR duality covariant modification of the standard field theory, and how the formalism can be extended to scalar field theories defined on noncommutative Minkowski space.     

Convergence properties and theoretical implications of a scattering theory calculations of molecular structure

The non-hermitian wave function formalism of the channel coupling array theory of many-body scattering has been tested through exact calculations on the H⁺₂ molecular ion. Numerical methods, convergence properties and theoretical implications of the results are discussed.     

A path-functional field theory of lattice gauge models and the large-N limit

We transform lattice gauge models to a theory of functional fields defined on a set of closed paths. Some relevant properties of the formalism are discussed in detail, with emphasis on symmetry and topological structure. We then investigate the large-N limit of the U(N) lattice gauge model in arbitrary dimensions using this formalism. Assuming the existence of the limit, we show, to arbitrary order of the strong coupling expansion parameter (g²N)^?, which is kept fixed, that for the leading contribution in the limit: (i) the flow of indices in color space can be represented by planar diagrams; (ii) when the diagrams are immersed in space-time they are random surfaces without handles; (iii) there are interactions of the surfaces which can be depicted as the formation of multisheet bubblesw in the surfaces. This formalism also makes it possible to set up a gauge-invariant mean-field approximation.     

Coherence and incompatability inWu* -algebraic quantum theory

In the framework of generalized quantum theory using aW ^*-algebraic formalism, we introduce a completely symmetric coherence relation for states which is also applicable to nonpure states. Making use of lattice theoretic results the properties of this relation, especially its connection with incompatibility, are investigated. By means of algebraic decomposition theory the investigation is reduced to the case of factors where a complete classification of the coherence classes is given.     

The lamb shift in helium from a self-consistent field theory of electrodynamics

In this paper we present the results of an investigation of the finite self-consistent field theory of electrodynamics applied earlier to the calculation of the Lamb shift in hydrogen (Sachs & Schwebel, 1961; Sachs, 1972), now applied to the problem of the Lamb shift in the low-lying states of Helium. We construct the covariant nonlinear field equations of this theory for Helium, from the Lagrangian formalism. In the linear approximation, the Hamiltonian associated with this field theory for the two-electron atom is set up. It is equivalent to the Breit Hamiltonian plus two extra terms. This generalization is a direct consequence of the two-component spinor formalism of the factorization of the Maxwell theory of electromagnetism that is contained in this theory of electrodynamics (Sachs, 1971). Thus, the energy spectrum predicted for the Helium atom is the spectrum predicted by the Breit Hamiltonian, shifted by amounts in the different energy states according to the effects of the extra terms in the Hamiltonian. The latter can be associated with the corrections to the Helium spectrum that are conventionally attributed to the Lamb shift. The level shifts for the 1¹ S and 2³ S states are calculated using the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation, with the generalization of Charplvy for the two-electron atom. The results are found to be in close agreement with the experimental values for the energy shifts not predicted by the Dirac theory, and with the theoretical values predicted by quantum electrodynamics.     

A gauge-covariant bimetric tetrad theory of gravitation and electromagnetism

In order to get to a geometrically based theory of gravitation and electromagnetism, a gauge covariant bimetric tetrad space-time is introduced. The Weylian connection vector is derived from the tetrads and it is identified with the electromagnetic potential vector. The formalism is simplified by the use of gauge-invariant quantities. The theory contains a contorsion tensor that is connected with spinning properties of matter. The electromagnetic field may be induced by conventional sources and by spinning matter. In absence of spinning matter, the equations are identical with those of the gauge-covariant bimetric theory.⁽²³⁾     

Perturbation theory with higher derivative couplings

The formalism of partial differential equations with respect to coupling constants is used to develop a covariant perturbation theory for the interpolating fields and theS matrix when the coupling terms in the Larangian density involve arbitrary (first and higher) derivatives. Through the notion of pure noncovariant contractions, the free-fieldT and the (covariant)T ^* products can be related to each other, allowing us to avoid the Hamiltonian density altogether when dealing with theS matrix. The important ingredients in our approach are (1) the adiabatic switching on and off of the interactions in the infinite past and future, respectively, and (2) the vanishing of four-dimensional delta functions and their derivatives at zero space-time points. The latter ingredient is a prerequisite that our formalism and the canonical formalism be consistent with each other, and on the other hand, it is supported by the dimensional regularization. Corresponding to any Lagrangian, the generalized interaction Hamiltonian density is defined from the covariantS matrix with the help of the pure noncovariant contractions. This interaction Hamiltonian density reduces to the usual one when the Lagrangian density depends on just first derivatives and when the usual canonical formalism can be applied.     

Pseudopotential theory of spin susceptibility of metals

We derive an expression for the exchange enhanced spin susceptibility (χ_s) of metals by using the pseudopotential formalism and degenerate perturbation theory. The advantage of our theory over the recent spin-density-functional formalism is that we have included spin-orbit effects. Our results for χ_s of alkali metals agree with the experimental results.     

A consistent formulation of the null-plane quantum field theory

It is shown in the usual framework of quantum field theory that the null-plane restriction of a field operator is not a well-defined operator-valued distribution. The cause of the trouble is the so-called P⁺ = 0 mode; in order to make it harmless, it is almost inevitable to violate Lorentz invariance. A consistent formulation of the null-plane quantization, which is supposed to be the simplest possible one, is proposed by modifying the definition of Poisson brackets. This theory is invariant under a Poincaré subalgebra containing seven generators. It is also shown that the absence of vacuum polarization is realized consistently in this formalism.     

Schrödinger picture formalism of Φ6 theory

The static effective potential for a scalar field with Φ⁶ interaction is calculated using the effective action in Schrödinger picture formalism. It is found that the effective potential obtained is same as the Gaussian effective potential as far as static case is concerned. Equivalence with the CJT formalism can also be established. As in CJT formalism after renormalization an unrenormalized mass term persists. Nonzero turning points are obtained both for positive and negativeλ. Results are analysed numerically. Graphical analysis indicates a behaviour similar to that obtained for CJT formalism at zero temperature.     

Continuum limit of A Z2 lattice gauge theory

Phase diagrams of lattice gauge theories have in several cases lines of first-order transitions ending at points at which continuous (second-order) transitions take place. In the vicinity of this critical point, a continuum field theory may be defined. We have analyzed here a Z₂ gauge plus matter model (which has no formal continuum limit) and identified the critical point with a usual Ø⁴, globally Z₂ invariant, field theory. The analysis relies on a mean field functional formalism and on a loop-wise expansion around it, which is reviewed.     

Renormalization problem in nonrenormalizable massless Φ4 theory

Nonrenormalizable massless Φ⁴ theory is made finite by regularization via higher derivatives in the kinetic part of the Lagrangean. The theory is shown to remain finite in the infinite cutoff limit if certain integrals over functions of one variable, with computable Taylor expansion at the origin, are finite. The values of these integrals are the only unknowns in the double series in powers ofg andg ^2/ε obtained for the Green's functions in massless (Φ⁴)_4+ε with generic ε. For ε=1 and ε=2, these series reduce to double series in powers ofg and lng. The problems of extension to (Φ⁴)_4+ε with mass, of causality and unitarity, of the relation to the BPHZ formalism, and of the indeterminacy of the result are discussed.     

Finite renormalizations in the Epstein Glaser framework and renormalization of the S‐matrix of Φ4‐theory

A formula describing finite renormalizations is derived in the Epstein‐Glaser formalism and an explicit calculation of finite counterterms in Φ⁴‐theory is performed. The Zimmermann identities and the action principle for changes of parameters in the interaction are presented independent of the adiabatic limit.     

Abelian 3-form gauge theory: Superfield approach

We discuss a D-dimensional Abelian 3-form gauge theory within the framework of Bonora-Tonin’s superfield formalism and derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for this theory. To pay our homage to Victor I. Ogievetsky (1928–1996), who was one of the inventors of Abelian 2-form (antisymmetric tensor) gauge field, we go a step further and discuss the above D-dimensional Abelian 3-form gauge theory within the framework of BRST formalism and establish that the existence of the (anti-)BRST invariant Curci-Ferrari (CF) type of restrictions is the hallmark of any arbitrary p-form gauge theory (discussed within the framework of BRST formalism).     

Effective field theory for massive gravitons and gravity in theory space

We introduce a technique for restoring general coordinate invariance into theories where it is explicitly broken. This is the analog for gravity of the Callan-Coleman-Wess-Zumino formalism for gauge theories. We use this to elucidate the properties of interacting massless and massive gravitons. For a single graviton with a Planck scale M_Pl and a mass m_g, we find that there is a sensible effective field theory which is valid up to a high-energy cutoff Λ parametrically above m_g. Our methods allow for a transparent understanding of the many peculiarities associated with massive gravitons, among them the need for the Fierz-Pauli form of the Lagrangian, the presence or absence of the van Dam-Veltman-Zakharov discontinuity in general backgrounds, and the onset of non-linear effects and the breakdown of the effective theory at large distances from heavy sources. The natural sizes of all non-linear corrections beyond the Fierz-Pauli term are easily determined. The cutoff scales as Λ∼(m_g⁴M_Pl)^1/5 for the Fierz-Pauli theory, but can be raised to Λ∼(m_g²M_Pl)^1/3 in certain non-linear extensions. Having established that these models make sense as effective theories, there are a number of new avenues for exploration, including model building with gravity in theory space and constructing gravitational dimensions.     

Strong coupling limit of the gφ4 theory

The strong coupling limit of the gφ⁴ theory in the framework of the path integral formalism. An expansion of the Green's functions in negative powers of the coupling constant is obtained; at each order the dependence on the external momenta is of polynomial type. A renormalization procedure is proposed; the asymptotic behaviour of the Callan-Symanzik β function is studied and the existence of a stable ultraviolet fixed point is established.     

Zero point energies in light cone field theory

In this paper, we study the role of zero point energies in light front quantized field theories using a simple scalar field model with quartic coupling. In the equal time formalism, the zero point energies are renormalized by normal ordering with respect to some vacuum state, which is varied to determine the true, interacting vacuum. On the light front, we shall see that this procedure acquires an unexpected subtlety due to the equivalence of the ultraviolet (k ⁺→∞) and infrared (k ⁺→0) limits of the light front momentum. In order for the divergent zero point contributions toP ⁺ andP ^? to cancel, we find that the product of the infrared and ultraviolet cutoffs must be a finite constant whose value is determined by the coupling constants of the theory. As an application, we determine the vacuum structure of the theory in two dimensions as a function of the quartic coupling. Finally, we discuss the implications of our result for the discretized versions of light front quantization.