Free Scalar Field Theory Research Articles

Is renormalized entanglement entropy stationary at RG fixed points?

The renormalized entanglement entropy (REE) across a circle of radius R has been proposed as a c-function in Poincar\'e invariant (2+1)-dimensional field theory. A proof has been presented of its monotonic behavior as a function of R, based on the strong subadditivity of entanglement entropy. However, this proof does not directly establish stationarity of REE at conformal fixed points of the renormalization group. In this note we study the REE for the free massive scalar field theory near the UV fixed point described by a massless scalar. Our numerical calculation indicates that the REE is not stationary at the UV fixed point.

Laboratory tests of the Galileon

The Galileon model is a ghost free scalar effective field theory containing higher derivative terms that are protected by the Galileon symmetry. The presence of a Vainshtein screening mechanism allows the scalar field to couple to matter without mediating unacceptably large fifth forces in the solar system. We describe how laboratory measurements of the Casimir effect and possible deviations from Newtonian gravity can be used to search for Galileon scalar fields. Current experimental measurements are used to bound a previously unconstrained combination of Galileon parameters.

Some calculable contributions to holographic entanglement entropy

Using the AdS/CFT correspondence, we examine entanglement entropy for a boundary theory deformed by a relevant operator and establish two results. The first is that if there is a contribution which is logarithmic in the UV cut-off, then the coefficient of this term is independent of the state of the boundary theory. In fact, the same is true of all of the coefficients of contributions which diverge as some power of the UV cut-off. Secondly, we show that the relevant deformation introduces new logarithmic contributions to the entanglement entropy. The form of some of these new contributions is similar to that found in investigations of entanglement entropy in a free massive scalar field theory [1, 2].

SCALAR FIELD THEORY ON κ-MINKOWSKI SPACE–TIME AND TRANSLATION AND LORENTZ INVARIANCE

We investigate the properties of κ-Minkowski space–time by using representations of the corresponding deformed algebra in terms of undeformed Heisenberg–Weyl algebra. The deformed algebra consists of κ-Poincaré algebra extended with the generators of the deformed Weyl algebra. The part of deformed algebra, generated by rotation, boost and momentum generators, is described by the Hopf algebra structure. The approach used in our considerations is completely Lorentz covariant. We further use an advantage of this approach to consistently construct a star product, which has a property that under integration sign, it can be replaced by a standard pointwise multiplication, a property that was since known to hold for Moyal but not for κ-Minkowski space–time. This star product also has generalized trace and cyclic properties, and the construction alone is accomplished by considering a classical Dirac operator representation of deformed algebra and requiring it to be Hermitian. We find that the obtained star product is not translationally invariant, leading to a conclusion that the classical Dirac operator representation is the one where translation invariance cannot simultaneously be implemented along with hermiticity. However, due to the integral property satisfied by the star product, noncommutative free scalar field theory does not have a problem with translation symmetry breaking and can be shown to reduce to an ordinary free scalar field theory without nonlocal features and tachyonic modes and basically of the very same form. The issue of Lorentz invariance of the theory is also discussed.

Hamiltonian constraint in polymer parametrized field theory

Recently, a generally covariant reformulation of 2 dimensional flat spacetime free scalar field theory known as Parameterised Field Theory was quantized using Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG) type `polymer' representations. Physical states were constructed, without intermediate regularization structures, by averaging over the group of gauge transformations generated by the constraints, the constraint algebra being a Lie algebra. We consider classically equivalent combinations of these constraints corresponding to a diffeomorphism and a Hamiltonian constraint, which, as in gravity, define a Dirac algebra. Our treatment of the quantum constraints parallels that of LQG and obtains the following results, expected to be of use in the construction of the quantum dynamics of LQG:(i) the (triangulated) Hamiltonian constraint acts only on vertices, its construction involves some of the same ambiguities as in LQG and its action on diffeomorphism invariant states admits a continuum limit (ii)if the regulating holonomies are in representations tailored to the edge labels of the state, all previously obtained physical states lie in the kernel of the Hamiltonian constraint, (iii) the commutator of two (density weight 1) Hamiltonian constraints as well as the operator correspondent of their classical Poisson bracket converge to zero in the continuum limit defined by diffeomorphism invariant states, and vanish on the Lewandowski- Marolf (LM) habitat (iv) the rescaled density 2 Hamiltonian constraints and their commutator are ill defined on the LM habitat despite the well defined- ness of the operator correspondent of their classical Poisson bracket there (v) there is a new habitat which supports a non-trivial representation of the Poisson- Lie algebra of density 2 constraints

A Goldstone theorem in thermal relativistic quantum field theory

We prove a Goldstone theorem in thermal relativistic quantum field theory, which relates spontaneous symmetry breaking to the rate of spacelike decay of the two-point function. The critical rate of fall-off coincides with that of the massless free scalar field theory. Related results and open problems are briefly discussed.

Propagator in polymer quantum field theory

We study free scalar field theory on flat spacetime using a background-independent (polymer) quantization procedure. Specifically we compute the propagator using a method that takes the energy spectrum and position matrix elements of the harmonic oscillator as inputs. We obtain closed form results in the infrared and ultraviolet regimes that give Lorentz invariance violating dispersion relations and show suppression of propagation at sufficiently high energy.

Analog Model for Quantum Gravity Effects: Phonons in Random Fluids

We describe an analog model for quantum gravity effects in condensed matter physics. The situation discussed is that of phonons propagating in a fluid with a random velocity wave equation. We consider that there are random fluctuations in the reciprocal of the bulk modulus of the system and study free phonons in the presence of Gaussian colored noise with zero mean. We show that, in this model, after performing the random averages over the noise function a free conventional scalar quantum field theory describing free phonons becomes a self-interacting model.

Polymer quantization of the free scalar field and its classical limit

Building on prior work, a generally covariant reformulation of a free scalar field theory on the flat Lorentzian cylinder is quantized using loop quantum gravity (LQG)-type ‘polymer’ representations. This quantization of the continuum classical theory yields a quantum theory which lives on a discrete spacetime lattice. We explicitly construct a state in the polymer Hilbert space which reproduces the standard Fock vacuum two-point functions for long-wavelength modes of the scalar field. Our construction indicates that the continuum classical theory emerges under coarse graining. All our considerations are free of the ‘triangulation’ ambiguities which plague attempts to define quantum dynamics in LQG. Our work constitutes the first complete LQG-type quantization of a generally covariant field theory together with a semi-classical analysis of the true degrees of freedom and thus provides a perfect infinite-dimensional toy model to study open issues in LQG, particularly those pertaining to the definition of quantum dynamics.

Out-of-equilibrium behavior of Casimir-type fluctuation-induced forces for free classical fields

We present a general method to study the nonequilibrium behavior of Casimir-type fluctuation-induced forces for classical free scalar field theories. In particular, we analyze the temporal evolution of the force toward its equilibrium value when the field dynamics is given by a general class of overdamped stochastic dynamics (including the model A and model B classes). The steady-state force is also analyzed for systems which have nonequilibrium steady states, for instance, where they are driven by colored noise. The key to the method is that the out of equilibrium force is computed by specifying an energy of interaction between the field and the surfaces in the problem. In general, we find that there is a mapping of the dynamical problem onto a corresponding static one and in the case where the latter can be solved, the full dynamical behavior of the force can be extracted. The method is used to compute the nonequilibrium Casimir force induced between two parallel plates by a fluctuating field, in the cases of Dirichlet, Neumann, and mixed boundary conditions. Various other examples, such as the fluctuation-induced force between inclusions in fluctuating media, are discussed.

On the renormalization of the complex scalar free field theory

Polar coordinates are used for the complex scalar free field in D=4 dimensions. The resulting nonrenormalizable theory is healed by using a recently proposed symmetric subtraction procedure. The existence of the coordinate transformation is proved by construction.

Scalar field theory in κ-Minkowski spacetime from twist

Using the twist deformation of U(igl(4,R)), the linear part of the diffeomorphism, we define a scalar function and construct a free scalar field theory in four-dimensional κ-Minkowski spacetime. The action in momentum space turns out to differ only in the integration measure from the commutative theory.

Polymer parametrized field theory

Free scalar field theory on 2-dimensional flat spacetime, cast in diffeomorphism invariant guise by treating the inertial coordinates of the spacetime as dynamical variables, is quantized using loop quantum gravity (LQG) type ``polymer'' representations for the matter field and the inertial variables. The quantum constraints are solved via group averaging techniques and, analogous to the case of spatial geometry in LQG, the smooth (flat) spacetime geometry is replaced by a discrete quantum structure. An overcomplete set of Dirac observables, consisting of (a) (exponentials of) the standard free scalar field creation-annihilation modes and (b) canonical transformations corresponding to conformal isometries, are represented as operators on the physical Hilbert space. None of these constructions suffer from any of the ``triangulation''-dependent choices which arise in treatments of LQG. In contrast to the standard Fock quantization, the non-Fock nature of the representation ensures that the group of conformal isometries as well as that of the gauge transformations generated by the constraints are represented in an anomaly free manner. Semiclassical states can be analyzed at the gauge invariant level. It is shown that ``physical weaves'' necessarily underlie such states and that such states display semiclassicality with respect to, at most, a countable subset of the (uncountably large) set of observables of type (a). The model thus offers a fertile testing ground for proposed definitions of quantum dynamics as well as semiclassical states in LQG.

FIELD THEORY ON κ-MINKOWSKI SPACE REVISITED: NOETHER CHARGES AND BREAKING OF LORENTZ SYMMETRY

This paper is devoted to detailed investigations of free scalar field theory on κ-Minkowski space. After reviewing necessary mathematical tools, we discuss in detail the Lagrangian and solutions of field equations. We analyze the space–time symmetries of the model and construct the conserved charges associated with translational and Lorentz symmetries. We show that the version of the theory usually studied breaks Lorentz invariance in a subtle way: there is an additional trans-Planckian mode present, and an associated conserved charge (the number of such modes) is not a Lorentz scalar.

Area law and vacuum reordering in harmonic networks

We review a number of ideas related to area-law scaling of the geometric entropy from the point of view of condensed matter, quantum field theory, and quantum information. An explicit computation in arbitrary dimensions of the geometric entropy of the ground state of a discretized scalar free field theory shows the expected area law result. In this case, area-law scaling is a manifestation of a deeper reordering of the vacuum produced by majorization relations. Furthermore, the explicit control on all the eigenvalues of the reduced density matrix allows for a verification of entropy loss along the renormalization group trajectory driven by the mass term. A further result of our computation shows that single-copy entanglement also obeys area law scaling, majorization relations, and decreases along renormalization group flows.

UV AND IR behaviour for QFT and LCQFT with fields as operator valued distributions: Epstein and Glaser revisited

Following Epstein-Glaser's work we show how a QFT formulation based on operator valued distributions (OPVD) with adequate test functions treats original singularities of propagators on the diagonal in a mathematically rigourous way. Thereby UV and/or IR divergences are avoided at any stage, only a finite renormalization finally occurs at a point related to the arbitrary scale present in the test functions. Some well known UV cases are exemplified. The power of the IR treatment is shown for the free massive scalar field theory developed in the (conventionally hopeless) mass perturbation expansion. It is argued that the approach should prove most useful for non-pertubative methods where the usual determination of counterterms is elusive.

QUANTUM CYLINDRICAL WAVES AND PARAMETRIZED FIELD THEORY

In this article, we review some illustrative results in the study of two related toy models for quantum gravity, namely cylindrical waves (which are cylindrically symmetric gravitational fields)and parametrized field theory (which is just free scalar field theory on a flat space–time in generally covariant disguise). In the former, we focus on the phenomenon of unexpected large quantum gravity effects in regions of weak classical gravitational fields and on an analysis of causality in a quantum geometry. In the latter, we focus on Dirac quantization, argue that this is related to the unitary implementability of free scalar field evolution along curved foliations of the flat space–time and review the relevant results for unitary implementability.

A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory

This book gives a clear exposition of quantum field theory at the graduate level and the contents could be covered in a two semester course or, with some effort, in a one semester course. The book is well organized, and subtle issues are clearly explained. The margin notes are very useful, and the problems given at the end of each chapter are relevant and help the student gain an insight into the subject. The solutions to these problems are given in chapter 12. Care is taken to keep the numerical factors and notation very clear. Chapter 1 gives a clear overview and typical scales in high energy physics. Chapter 2 presents an excellent account of the Lorentz group and its representation. The decomposition of Lorentz tensors under SO(3) and the subsequent spinorial representations are introduced with clarity. After giving the field representation for scalar, Weyl, Dirac, Majorana and vector fields, the Poincare group is introduced. Representations of 1-particle states using m2 and the Pauli–Lubanski vector, although standard, are treated lucidly. Classical field theory is introduced in chapter 3 and a careful treatment of the Noether theorem and the energy momentum tensor are given. After covering real and complex scalar fields, the author impressively introduces the Dirac spinor via the Weyl spinor; Abelian gauge theory is also introduced. Chapter 4 contains the essentials of free field quantization of real and complex scalar fields, Dirac fields and massless Weyl fields. After a brief discussion of the CPT theorem, the quantization of electromagnetic field is carried out both in radiation gauge and Lorentz gauge. The presentation of the Gupta–Bleuler method is particularly impressive; the margin notes on pages 85, 100 and 101 invaluable. Chapter 5 considers the essentials of perturbation theory. The derivation of the LSZ reduction formula for scalar field theory is clearly expressed. Feynman rules are obtained for the λ4 theory in detail and those of QED briefly. The basic idea of renormalization is explained using the λ4 theory as an example. There is a very lucid discussion on the `running coupling' constant in section 5.9. Chapter 6 explains the use of the matrix elements, formally given in the previous chapter, to compute decay rates and cross sections. The exposition is such that the reader will have no difficulty in following the steps. However, bearing in mind the continuity of the other chapters, this material could have been consigned to an appendix. In the short chapter 7, the QED Lagrangian is shown to respect P, C and T invariance. One-loop divergences are described. Dimensional and Pauli–Villars regularization are introduced and explained, although there is no account of their use in evaluating a typical one-loop divergent integral. Chapter 8 describes the low energy limit of the Weinberg–Salam theory. Examples for μ-→ e-barnueν μ, π+→ l+νl and K0→ π-l+νl are explicitly solved, although the serious reader should work them out independently. On page 197 the `V-A structure of the currents proposed by Feynman and Gell-Mann' is stated; the first such proposal was by E C G Sudarshan and R E Marshak. In chapter 9 the path integral quantization method is developed. After deriving the transition amplitude as the sum over all paths, in quantum mechanics, a demonstration that the integration of functions in the path integral gives the expectation value of the time ordered product of the corresponding operators is given and applied to real scalar free field theory to get the Feynman propagator. Then the Euclidean formulation is introduced and its `tailor made' role in critical phenomena is illustrated with the 2-d Ising model as an example, including the RG equation. Chapter 10 introduces Yang–Mills theory. After writing down the typical gauge invariant Lagrangian and outlining the ingredients of QCD, the adjoint representation for fields is given. It could have been made complete by giving the Feynman rules for the cubic and quartic vertices for non-Abelian gauge fields, although the reader can obtain them from the last term in equation 10.27. In chapter 11, spontaneous symmetry breaking in quantum field theory is described. The difference in quantum mechanics and QFT with respect to the degenerate vacua is clearly brought out by considering the tunnelling amplitude between degenerate vacua. This is very good, as this aspect is mostly overlooked in many textbooks. The Goldstone theorem is then illustrated by an example. The Higgs mechanism is explained in Abelian and non-Abelian (SU(2)) gauge theories and the situation in SU(2)xU(1) gauge theory is discussed. This book certainly covers most of the modern developments in quantum field theory. The reader will be able to follow the content and apply it to specific problems. The bibliography is certainly useful. It will be an asset to libraries in teaching and research institutions.

Path integral quantization of parametrized field theory

Free scalar field theory on a flat spacetime can be cast into a generally covariant form known as parametrised field theory in which the action is a functional of the scalar field as well as the embedding variables which describe arbitrary, in general curved, foliations of the flat spacetime. We construct the path integral quantization of parametrised field theory in order to analyse issues at the interface of quantum field theory and general covariance in a path integral context. We show that the measure in the Lorentzian path integral is non-trivial and is the analog of the Fradkin- Vilkovisky measure for quantum gravity. We construct Euclidean functional integrals in the generally covariant setting of parametrised field theory using key ideas of Schleich and show that our constructions imply the existence of non-standard `Wick rotations' of the standard free scalar field 2 point function. We develop a framework to study the problem of time through computations of scalar field 2 point functions. We illustrate our ideas through explicit computation for a time independent 1+1 dimensional foliation. Although the problem of time seems to be absent in this simple example, the general case is still open. We discuss our results in the contexts of the path integral formulation of quantum gravity and the canonical quantization of parametrised field theory.

Geometric Properties of W-Algebras and the Toda model

The W-algebra minimal models on hyperelliptic Riemann surfaces are constructed. Using a proposal by Polyakov, we reduce the partition function of the Toda field theory on the hyperelliptic surface to a product of partition functions: one of a “free field” theory on the sphere with inserted Toda vertex operators and one of a free scalar field theory with antiperiodic boundary conditions with inserted twist fields.