Light-front Quantization Research Articles

The Casimir Effect in Light-Front Quantization

We show that the standard result for the Casimir force between conducting plates at rest in an inertial frame can be computed in light-front quantization. This is not the same as light-front analyses where the plates are at "rest" in an infinite momentum frame. In that case, Lenz and Steinbacher have shown that the result does not agree with the standard result for plates at rest. The two important ingredients in the present analysis are a careful treatment of the boundary conditions, inspired by the work of Almeida et al. on oblique light-front coordinates, and computation of the ordinary energy density, rather than the light-front energy density.

Application of the light-front coupled-cluster method toϕ4theory in two dimensions

As a first numerical application of the light-front coupled-cluster (LFCC) method, we consider the odd-parity massive eigenstate of $\phi_{1+1}^4$ theory. The eigenstate is built as a Fock-state expansion in light-front quantization, where wave functions appear as coefficients of the Fock states. A standard Fock-space truncation would then yield a finite set of linear equations for a finite number of wave functions. The LFCC method replaces Fock-space truncation with a more sophisticated truncation, one which reduces the eigenvalue problem to a finite set of nonlinear equations without any restriction on Fock space. We compare our results with those obtained with a Fock-space truncation that yields the same number of equations.

Electron g-2 in Light-front Quantization

Basis Light-front Quantization has been proposed as a nonperturbative framework for solving quantum field theory. We apply this approach to Quantum Electrodynamics and explicitly solve for the light-front wave function of a physical electron. Based on the resulting light-front wave function, we evaluate the electron anomalous magnetic moment. Nonperturbative mass renormalization is performed. Upon extrapolation to the infinite basis limit our numerical results agree with the Schwinger result obtained in perturbation theory to an accuracy of 0.06%.

Light-Front BRST Quantization of the Vector Schwinger Model with a Photon Mass Term

Vector Schwinger model with a mass term for the photon, describing 2D electrodynamics with mass-less fermions, studied by us recently (UK, Mod. Phys. Lett A22, 2993 (2007), PoS LC2008, 008 (2008), UK and DSK, Int. J. Mod. Phys. A22, 6183 (2007), UK, Mod. Phys. Lett A27, 1250157 (2012)), represents a new class of models. This theory becomes gauge-invariant when studied on the light-front. This is in contrast to the instant-form theory which is gauge-non-invariant. The light-front Hamiltonian and path integral quantization of this theory has been studied recently by one of us (UK, Mod. Phys. Lett. A27 (No. 27) 1250157 (2012)). In the present work we study the light-front Becchi-Rouet-Stora and Tyutin (BRST) quantization of this theory under appropriate light-cone BRST gauge-fixing. Here the BRST (gauge) symmetry of the theory is maintained even under BRST-gauge-fixing which is in contrast to its Hamiltonian and path integral quantization where the gauge symmetry of the theory necessarily gets broken under gauge-fixing.

Generalized parton distributions in a light-front nonperturbative approach

Basis Light-front Quantization (BLFQ) has recently been developed as a promising nonperturbative technique. Using BLFQ, we investigate the Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) in a nonperturbative framework for a dressed electron in QED. We evaluate light-front wave functions and carry out overlap calculations to obtain GPDs. We also perform perturbative calculations in the corresponding basis spaces to demonstrate that they compare reasonably with the BLFQ results.

Applications of Basis Light-Front Quantization to QED

Hamiltonian light-front quantum field theory provides a framework for calculating both static and dynamic properties of strongly interacting relativistic systems. Invariant masses, correlated parton amplitudes and time-dependent scattering amplitudes, possibly with strong external time-dependent fields, represent a few of the important applications. By choosing the light-front gauge and adopting an orthonormal basis function representation, we obtain a large, sparse, Hamiltonian matrix eigenvalue problem for mass eigenstates that we solve by adapting ab initio no-core methods of nuclear many-body theory. In the continuum limit, the infinite matrix limit, we recover full covariance. Guided by the symmetries of light-front quantized theory, we adopt a two-dimensional harmonic oscillator basis for transverse modes that corresponds with eigensolutions of the soft-wall anti-de Sitter/quantum chromodynamics (AdS/QCD) model obtained from light-front holography. We outline our approach and present results for non-linear Compton scattering, evaluated non-perturbatively, where a strong and time-dependent laser field accelerates the electron and produces states of higher invariant mass i.e. final states with photon emission.

Light-Front Holographic QCD and the Confinement Potential

Light-Front Hamiltonian theory, derived from the quantization of the QCD Lagrangian at fixed light-front time τ=t+z/c, provides a rigorous frame-independent framework for solving nonperturbative QCD. The eigenvalues of the light-front QCD Hamiltonian predict the hadronic mass spectrum, and the corresponding eigensolutions provide the light-front wavefunctions which describe hadron structure. The valence Fock-state wavefunctions of the light-front QCD Hamiltonian satisfy a single-variable relativistic equation of motion, analogous to the nonrelativistic radial Schrödinger equation, with an effective confining potential U which systematically incorporates the effects of higher quark and gluon Fock states. In fact, the potential U has a unique form if one requires that the action for zero quark mass remains conformally invariant. We also show that the holographic mapping of gravity in AdS space to QCD with a specific soft-wall dilaton yields the same light-front Schrödinger equation. Light-front holography also leads to a precise relation between the bound-state amplitudes in the fifth dimension z of AdS space and the boost-invariant light-front wavefunctions describing the internal structure of hadrons in physical space-time. The elastic and transition form factors of the pion and the nucleons are found to be well described in this framework. The predictions of the LF equations of motion include a zero-mass pion in the chiral mq→0 limit, and linear Regge trajectories M2(n,L)∝n+L with the same slope in the radial quantum number n and orbital angular momentum L. The light-front AdS/QCD holographic approach thus gives a frame-independent representation of color-confining dynamics, Regge spectroscopy, and the excitation spectra of relativistic light-quark meson and baryon bound states in QCD in terms of a single mass parameter. We also briefly discuss the implications of the underlying conformal template of QCD for renormalization scale-setting and the implications of light-front quantization for the value of the cosmological constant.

Electromagnetic form factors for spin-1 particles with the light-front

This work is dedicate to investigate the spin-1 electromagnetic form factors with the light-front quantum field theory approach. All prescriptions with the light-front approach are contamined by the zero-modes contribuitions to the electromagnetic matrix elements of the electromagnetic current with the plus component of the current; however, the Inna Grach prescriptions it is immune for the zero modes contribuitions. We show numerically the contribution of zero-modes for the electromagnetic current in the case of the vector particles in the light-front quantum field theory. Also the electromagnetic observables, like electromagnetic form factors, radius and the decay constant are presented.

Light-front quantum chromodynamics: A framework for the analysis of hadron physics

An outstanding goal of physics is to find solutions that describe hadrons in the theory of strong interactions, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). For this goal, the light-front Hamiltonian formulation of QCD (LFQCD) is a complementary approach to the well-established lattice gauge method. LFQCD offers access to the hadrons' nonperturbative quark and gluon amplitudes, which are directly testable in experiments at existing and future facilities. We present an overview of the promises and challenges of LFQCD in the context of unsolved issues in QCD that require broadened and accelerated investigation. We identify specific goals of this approach and address its quantifiable uncertainties.

Parton physics from large-momentum effective field theory

Parton physics, when formulated as light-front correlations, are difficult to study non-perturbatively, despite the promise of light-front quantization. Recently an alternative approach to partons have been proposed by re-visiting original Feynman picture of a hadron moving at asymptotically large momentum. Here I formulate the approach in the language of an effective field theory for a large hadron momentum P in lattice QCD, LaMET for short. I show that using this new effective theory, parton properties, including light-front parton wave functions, can be extracted from lattice observables in a systematic expansion of 1/P, much like that the parton distributions can be extracted from the hard scattering data at momentum scales of a few GeV.

Lightfront QED and Intense Field Physics

We briefly review the particular relevance of lightfront quantisation to QED in external fields modelling intense lasers.

Spin-1 particles with light-front approach

For the vector sector, i.e, mesons with spin-1, the electromagnetic form factors and anothers observables are calculated with the light-front approach. However, the light-front quantum field theory have some problems, for example, the rotational symmetry breaking. We solve that problem added the zero modes contribuition to the matrix elements of the electromagnetic current, besides the valence contribuition. We found that among the four independent matrix elements of the plus component in the light-front helicity basis only the $0\to 0$ one carries zero mode contributions.

Threefold complementary approach to holographic QCD

A complementary approach, derived from (a) higher-dimensional anti-de Sitter (AdS) space, (b) light-front quantization and (c) the invariance properties of the full conformal group in one dimension leads to a nonperturbative relativistic light-front wave equation which incorporates essential spectroscopic and dynamical features of hadron physics. The fundamental conformal symmetry of the classical QCD Lagrangian in the limit of massless quarks is encoded in the resulting effective theory. The mass scale for confinement emerges from the isomorphism between the conformal group and SO(2,1). This scale appears in the light-front Hamiltonian by mapping to the evolution operator in the formalism of de Alfaro, Fubini and Furlan, which retains the conformal invariance of the action. Remarkably, the specific form of the confinement interaction and the corresponding modification of AdS space are uniquely determined in this procedure.

Scale and Lorentz Transformations at the Light-Front

The light-front (LF) quantization is applied for the model of massive scalar field with self-interaction. We check some of the LF postulates by considering the Wightman function for this model. The scale symmetry imposed only on the LF quantization hypersurface and the Lorentz symmetry assumed for all points in Minkowski’s space-time lead to a strong constraint for the Wightman functions, which is satisfied only by a free and massless scalar field. This result agrees with the recent Weinberg’s result for a scale-symmetric theory. This means that one cannot expect the unitary equivalence of the Fock space for scalar fields with different masses at the LF hypersurface.

QCD on the Light-Front

Light-Front Hamiltonian theory provides a rigorous frame-independent framework for solving nonperturbative QCD. The valence Fock-state wavefunctions of the light-front QCD Hamiltonian satisfy a single-variable relativistic equation of motion, analogous to the nonrelativistic radial Schr\"odinger equation, with an effective confining potential U which systematically incorporates the effects of higher quark and gluon Fock states. Remarkably, the potential U has a unique form of a harmonic oscillator potential if one requires that the chiral QCD action remains conformally invariant. A mass gap arises when one extends the formalism of de Alfaro, Fubini and Furlan to light-front Hamiltonian theory. The valence LF meson wavefunctions for zero quark mass satisfy a single-variable relativistic equation of motion in the invariant variable $\zeta^2=b^2_\perp x(1-x)$, which is conjugate to the invariant mass squared. The result is a nonperturbative relativistic light-front quantum mechanical wave equation which incorporates color confinement and other essential spectroscopic and dynamical features of hadron physics, including a massless pion for zero quark mass and linear Regge trajectories with the same slope in the radial quantum number n and orbital angular momentum L. The corresponding light-front Dirac equation provides a model of nucleons. The same light-front equations arise from the holographic mapping of the soft-wall model modification of AdS_5 space with a unique dilaton profile to QCD (3+1) at fixed light-front time. Light-front holography thus provides a precise relation between amplitudes in the fifth dimension of AdS space and light-front wavefunctions. We also discuss the implications of the underlying conformal template of QCD for renormalization scale-setting, and the implications of light-front quantization for the value of the cosmological constant.

Light-front analysis of the Casimir effect

The Casimir force between conducting plates at rest in an inertial frame is usually computed in equal-time quantization, the natural choice for the given boundary conditions. We show that the well-known result obtained in this way can also be obtained in light-front quantization. This differs from a light-front analysis where the plates are at "rest" in an infinite momentum frame, rather than an inertial frame; in that case, as shown by Lenz and Steinbacher, the result does not agree with the standard result. As is usually done, the analysis is simplified by working with a scalar field and periodic boundary conditions, in place of the complexity of quantum electrodynamics. The two key ingredients are a careful implementation of the boundary conditions, following the work of Almeida et al. on oblique light-front coordinates, and computation of the ordinary energy density, rather than the light-front energy density. The analysis demonstrates that the physics of the effect is independent of the coordinate choice, as it must be.

Scattering in time-dependent basis light-front quantization

We introduce a nonperturbative, first principles numerical approach for solving time-dependent problems in quantum field theory, using light-front quantization. As a first application we consider QED in a strong background field, and the process of non-linear Compton scattering in which an electron is excited by the background and emits a photon. We track the evolution of the quantum state as a function of time. Observables, such as the invariant mass of the electron-photon pair, are first checked against results from perturbation theory, for suitable parameters. We then proceed to a test case in the strong background field regime and discuss the various nonperturbative effects revealed by the approach.

Scattering in plane-wave backgrounds: Infrared effects and pole structure

We consider two aspects of scattering in strong plane wave backgrounds. First, we show that the infra-red divergences in elastic scattering depend on the structure of the background, but can be removed using the usual Bloch-Nordsieck approach. Second, we analyse the infinite series of shifted-mass-shell poles in the particle (Volkov) propagator using lightfront quantisation. The complete series of poles is shown to describe a single, on-shell, propagating particle.

Fermion self-energy correction in light-front QED using coherent state basis

We discuss IR divergences in lepton mass renormalization in Light-Front Quantum Electrodynamics (LFQED) in Feynman gauge. We consider LFQED with Pauli-Villars fields and using old-fashioned time ordered perturbation theory (TOPT), we show that our earlier result regarding cancellation of true IR divergences upto $O(e^4)$ in coherent state basis holds in Feynman gauge also.

Instant-Form and Light-Front Hamiltonian and Path Integral Formulations of the Conformally Gauge-Fixed Polyakov D1-Brane Action in the Presence of a Scalar Axion Field and an <i>U</i>(1) Gauge Field

Recently we have studied the instant-form quantization (IFQ) and the light-front quantization (LFQ) of the conformally gauge-fixed Polyakov D1 brane action using the Hamiltonian and path integral formulations. The IFQ is studied in the equal world-sheet time framework on the hyperplanes defined by the world-sheet time σ0=τ=constant and the LFQ in the equal light-cone world-sheet time framework, on the hyperplanes of the light-front defined by the light-cone world-sheet time σ+= (τ+σ) =constant. The light-front theory is seen to be a constrained system in the sense of Dirac in contrast to the instant-form theory. However, owing to the gauge anomalous nature of these theories, both of these theories are seen to lack the usual string gauge symmetries defined by the world-sheet reparametrization invariance (WSRI) and the Weyl invariance (WI). In the present work we show that these theories when considered in the presence of background gauge fields such as the NSNS 2-form gauge field Bαβ(σ,τ) or in the presence of U(1) gauge field Aα(σ,τ) and the constant scalar axion field C(σ,τ), then they are seen to possess the usual string gauge symmetries (WSRI and WI). In fact, these background gauge fields are seen to behave as the Wess-Zumino or Stueckelberg fields and the terms containing these fields are seen to behave as Wess-Zumino or Stueckelberg terms for these theories.