On Noether's theorem in quantum field theory

Extending the construction of local generators of symmetries in (S. Doplicher, Commun. Math. Phys.85 (1982), 73; S. Doplicher and R. Longo, Commun. Math. Phys.88 (1983), 399) to space-time and supersymmetries, we establish a weak form of Noether's theorem in quantum field theory. We also comment on the physical significance of the “split property,” underlying our analysis, and discuss some local aspects of superselection rules following from our results.     

Noether's theorem for singular Lagrangians

The correspondence between constants of motion and symmetries of a singular Langrangian system is studied. It is shown to be a one-to-one correspondence after an appropriate definition of both concepts. The theory is illustrated with an example.     

Generalized force in classical field theory

The source strengths of the Euler-Lagrange equations, for a system of interacting fields, are heuristically interpreted as generalized forces. The canonical form of the energy-momentum tensor thus consistently appears, without recourse to space-time symmetry arguments. A concept of conservative generalized force in classical field theory is also briefly discussed.     

Equivalent Lagrangians in classical field theory

Two Lagrangians L and L are equivalent if the equations of motion derived from them have the same set of solutions. In that case, a matrix may be defined which has the property that the trace of any analytic function of is a constant of the motion. We extend this trace theorem to the case of classical field theory and discuss some of the implications for quantum theory and for procedures for finding equivalent Lagrangians.     

Diagrammar in classical scalar field theory

In this paper we analyze perturbatively a g?⁴classical field theory with and without temperature. In order to do that, we make use of a path-integral approach developed some time ago for classical theories. It turns out that the diagrams appearing at the classical level are many more than at the quantum level due to the presence of extra auxiliary fields in the classical formalism. We shall show that a universal supersymmetry present in the classical path-integral mentioned above is responsible for the cancelation of various diagrams. The same supersymmetry allows the introduction of super-fields and super-diagrams which considerably simplify the calculations and make the classical perturbative calculations almost “identical” formally to the quantum ones. Using the super-diagrams technique, we develop the classical perturbation theory up to third order. We conclude the paper with a perturbative check of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.     

Fundamentals of nonassociative classical field theory

A nonassociative classical field theory is constructed. Octonion algebra is studied. The octonion is represented as the sum of a quaternion and an associator. The octonion algebra is expanded and Lorentz group generators are specified in terms of octonion bases in one of the subalgebras. Lorentz vectors and spinors are constructed in the nonassociative algebra. The representation of the Lorentz group in terms of spin and the associator is obtained.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 11, pp. 22–27, November, 1986.     

Adiabatic theorem in axiomatic quantum field theory

It is shown that Møller matricesS _± and scattering matrixS in axiomatic field theory can be expressed through their adiabatic analogs. In particular, it is proved under certain conditions that \(S_ - = \mathop {s\lim }\limits_{\alpha \to 0} S_\alpha (0,\infty )W_\alpha \) whereW _α is a trivial phase factor [i.e. a unitary operator of the form exp i / α ∝r(k)a ⁺ (k)a(k)dk]. Corresponding results in Hamiltonian approach are discussed.     

Geometrization of the classical field theory and its application in Yang-Mills field theory

The paper contains presentation of the finite-dimensional approach to the classical field theory based on the geometry of differential manifolds and forms. Geometrical construction of a symplectic structure and Poisson brackets on the space of initial conditions are realized. This space is not a manifold but it can be furnished with a structure of a differential space.The structural n+1 form for the Yang-Mills field theory is constructed. This gives automatically equations of motion and equations for initial conditions. The parasymplectic structure is computed. The directions of degeneration appear to be exactly the directions of infinitesimal gauge transformations. The Poisson bracket for Yang-Mills field theory is obtained.     

Quantum scattering from classical field theory

We show that scattering amplitudes between initial wave packet states and certain coherent final states can be computed in a systematic weak coupling expansion about classical solutions satisfying initial-value conditions. The initial-value conditions are such as to make the solution of the classical field equations amenable to numerical methods. We propose a practical procedure for computing classical solutions which contribute to high energy two-particle scattering amplitudes. We consider in this regard the implications of a recent numerical simulation in classical SU(2) Yang-Mills theory for multiparticle scattering in quantum gauge theories and speculate on its generalization to electroweak theory. We also generalize our results to the case of complex trajectories and discuss the prospects for finding a solution to the resulting complex boundary value problem, which would allow the application of our method to any wave packet to coherent state transition. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these results to the issues of baryon number violation and multiparticle scattering at high energies.     

Noether's theorem and the fieldB (3)

It is shown that the longitudinal, magnetic flux density,B ⁽³⁾ , of vacuum electromagnetic radiation can be accommodated rigorously within Noether's theorem, which relates fundamental spacetime symmetries to fundamental conservation laws. This demonstration linksB ⁽³⁾ to the canonical energy-momentum tensorT _µv that appears in Einstein's field equations of general relativity. Thus,B ⁽³⁾ provides a link between electromagnetism and gravitation which might eventually lead to an unified understanding of field theory.     

Noether's theory of Lagrange systems in discrete case

In this paper, Noether theory of Lagrange systems in discrete case are studied. First, we briefly overview the well-known Noether theory of Lagrange system in the continuous case. Then, we introduce some definitions and notations, such as the operators of discrete translation to the right and the left and the operators of discrete differentiation to the right and the left, and give the conditions for the invariance of the difference functional on the uniform lattice and the non-uniform one, respectively. We also deduce the discrete analog of the Noether-type identity. Finally, the discrete analog of Noether's theorem is presented. An example was discussed to illustrate these results.     

The dirac-schwinger covariance condition in classical field theory

A straightforward derivation of the Dirac-Schwinger covariance condition is given within the framework of classical field theory. The crucial role of the energy continuity equation in the derivation is pointed out. The origin of higher order derivatives of delta function is traced to the presence of higher order derivatives of canonical coordinates and momenta in the energy density functional.     

Optical theorem in curved space-time quantum field theory

A structural analysis is given of the optical theorem in theS-matrix approach to mutually interacting quantum fields in classical Robertson-Walker universes. As a case study, theφψ ²-interaction of conformally coupled massive (φ) and massless (φ) Klein-Gordon particles is studied. Based on the outgoing massless particles as indicator configuration, the physical interpretation is reduced to the corresponding added-up probabilities. Several examples are discussed in an in-in scheme which has the advantage that only a few non-Minkowskian in-in Feynman diagrams are involved.     

Ermakov systems,Noether's theorem and the Sarlet-Bahar method

We derive invariants for a nonlinear equation of motion containing arbitrary functions. The method employed is the recently discussed direct method of Sarlet and Bahar. The resulting invariants are a special case of Ermakov invariants. We compare these results to the results obtained by applying Noether's theorem to the same equation of motion.     

Dynamical versus variational symmetries: understanding Noether's first theorem

It is argued that awareness of the distinction between dynamical and variational symmetries is crucial to understanding the significance of Noether's 1918 work. Special attention is paid, by way of a number of striking examples, to Noether's first theorem, which establishes a correlation between dynamical symmetries and conservation principles.     

Noether‘s theorem of a rotational relativistic variable mass system

Noether‘s theory of a rotational relativistic variable mass system is studied.Firstly,Jourdain‘s principle of the rotational relativistic variable mass system is given.Secondly,on the basis of the invariance of the Jourdain‘s principle under the infinitesimal transformations of groups,Noether‘s theorem and its inverse theorem of the rotational relativistic variable mass system are presented.Finally,an example is given to illustrate the application of the result.     

Three approaches to classical thermal field theory

In this paper we study three different functional approaches to classical thermal field theory, which turn out to be the classical counterparts of three well-known different formulations of quantum thermal field theory: the closed-time path (CTP) formalism, the thermofield dynamics (TFD) and the Matsubara approach.     

Decoupling theorem of quantum field theory in Minkowski space

The decoupling theorem of quantum field theory with massive particles is proved in Minkowski space when all the masses of the theory are led to go to infinity. The theorem establishes the vanishing property, in the distributional sense, of (absolutely convergent) Feynman amplitudes in a model independent way with subtractions performed at the origin. This extends previous efforts dealing with the proof of the theorem in the Euclidean region.