Symmetries of relativistic world lines

Abstract

Symmetries are essential for a consistent formulation of many quantum systems. In this paper we discuss a previously unnoticed symmetry, which is present for any Lagrangian term that involves $\dot{x}^2$. As a basic model that incorporates the fundamental symmetries of quantum gravity and string theory, we consider the Lagrangian action of the relativistic point particle. A path integral quantization for this seemingly simple system has for long presented notorious problems. Here we show that those problems are overcome by taking into account the newly discovered additional symmetry, leading directly to the exact Klein-Gordon propagator.