Renormalizable Quantum Field Theory Research Articles

Loop diagrams in the kinetic theory of waves

Recent work has given a systematic way for studying the kinetics of classical weakly interacting waves beyond leading order, having analogies with renormalization in quantum field theory. An important context is weak wave turbulence, occurring for waves which are small in magnitude and weakly interacting, such as those on the surface of the ocean. Here we continue the work of perturbatively computing correlation functions and the kinetic equation in this far-from-equilibrium state. In particular, we obtain the next-to-leading-order kinetic equation for waves with a cubic interaction. Our main result is a simple graphical prescription for the terms in the kinetic equation, at any order in the nonlinearity.

High-Energy Behavior of Scattering Amplitudes in Theories with Purely Virtual Particles

We study a class of renormalizable quantum field theories with purely virtual particles that exhibits nonrenormalizable behavior in the high-energy limit of scattering cross sections, which grow as powers of the center-of-mass energy squared and seems to violate unitarity bounds. We point out that the problem should be viewed as a violation of perturbativity, instead of unitarity, and show that the resummation of self energies fixes the issue. As an explicit example, we consider a class of O(N) theories at the leading order in the large-N expansion and show that the different quantization prescription of purely virtual particles takes care of the nonrenormalizable behavior, making the resummed cross sections to decrease at high energies and the amplitudes to satisfy the unitarity bounds. We compare the results to the case of theories with ghosts, where the resummation cannot change the behavior of cross sections due to certain cancellations in the high-energy expansion of the self energies. These results are particularly relevant for quantum gravity.

Apparently superluminal superfluids

We consider the superfluid phase of a specific renormalizable relativistic quantum field theory. We prove that, within the regime of validity of perturbation theory and of the superfluid effective theory, there are consistent and regular vortex solutions where the superfluid’s velocity field as traditionally defined smoothly interpolates between zero and arbitrarily large superluminal values. We show that this solution is free of instabilities and of superluminal excitations. We show that, in contrast, a generic vortex solution for an ordinary fluid does develop an instability if the velocity field becomes superluminal. All this questions the characterization of a superfluid velocity field as the actual velocity of “something”.

Multiplicative Renormalization of Stochastic Differential Equations for the Abelian Sandpile Model

The long-term, large-scale behavior in a problem of stochastic nonlinear dynamics corresponding to the Abelian sandpile model is studied with the use of the quantum-field theory renormalization group approach. We prove the multiplicative renormalization of the model including an infinite number of coupling parameters, calculate an infinite number of renormalization constants, identify a plane of fixed points in the infinite dimensional space of coupling parameters, discuss their stability and critical scaling in the model, and formulate a simple law relating the asymptotic size of an avalanche to a model exponent quantifying the time-scale separation between the slow energy injection and fast avalanche relaxation processes.

Diassociative family algebras and averaging family operators

Algebraic structures relative to a semigroup Ω (also called family algebraic structures) first appeared in the work of renormalization in quantum field theory. In this paper, we first consider Ω-diassociative algebras and diassociative family algebras as family analogues of diassociative algebras. We define the cohomologies of these algebras generalizing the cohomology of diassociative algebras introduced by Frabetti. We also introduce (relative) averaging family operators as the family analogue of averaging operators and show that they induce diassociative family algebras and Ω-diassociative algebras. Next, we define the cohomology of a (relative) averaging family operator as the cohomology of the induced Ω-diassociative algebra with coefficients in a suitable representation. Finally, as an application of our cohomology, we study formal one-parameter deformations of relative averaging family operators.

Three- and four-point functions in CPT -even Lorentz-violating scalar QED

The renormalization of quantum field theories usually assumes Lorentz and gauge symmetries, besides the general restrictions imposed by unitarity and causality. However, the set of renormalizable theories can be enlarged by relaxing some of these assumptions. In this work, we consider the particular case of a CPT-preserving but Lorentz-breaking extension of scalar QED. For this theory, we calculate the one-loop radiative corrections to the three- and four-point scalar-vector vertex functions, at the lowest order in the Lorentz violation parameters; and we explicitly verify that the resulting low-energy effective action is compatible with the usual gauge invariance requirements. With these results, we complete the one-loop renormalization of the model at the leading order in the Lorentz-violating parameters.

Homotopy Rota–Baxter operators and post-Lie algebras

Rota–Baxter operators and the more general $\mathcal{O}$-operators, together with their interconnected pre-Lie and post-Lie algebras, are important algebraic structures, with Rota–Baxter operators and pre-Lie algebras instrumental in the Connes–Kreimer approach to renormalization of quantum field theory. This paper introduces the notions of a homotopy Rota–Baxter operator and a homotopy $\mathcal{O}$-operator on a symmetric graded Lie algebra. Their characterization by Maurer–Cartan elements of suitable differential graded Lie algebras is provided. Through the action of a homotopy $\mathcal{O}$-operator on a symmetric graded Lie algebra, we arrive at the notion of an operator homotopy post-Lie algebra, together with its characterization in terms of Maurer–Cartan elements. A cohomology theory of post-Lie algebras is established, with an application to 2-term skeletal operator homotopy post-Lie algebras.

Scaling solutions for asymptotically free quantum gravity

We compute scaling solutions of functional flow equations for quantum grav- ity in a general truncation with up to four derivatives of the metric. They connect the asymptotically free ultraviolet fixed point, which is accessible to perturbation theory, to the non-perturbative infrared region. The existence of such scaling solutions is necessary for a renormalizable quantum field theory of gravity. If the proposed scaling solution is con- firmed beyond our approximations asymptotic freedom is a viable alternative to asymptotic safety for quantum gravity.

FlexibleDecay: An automated calculator of scalar decay widths

We present FlexibleDecay, a tool to calculate decays of scalars in a broad class of BSM models. The tool aims for high precision particularly in the case of Higgs boson decays. In the case of scalar and pseudoscalar Higgs boson decays the known higher order SM QED, QCD and EW effects are taken into account where possible. The program works in a modified MS‾ scheme that exhibits a decoupling property with respect to heavy BSM physics, with BSM parameters themselves treated in the MS‾/DR‾-scheme allowing for an easy connection to high scale tests for, e.g., perturbativity and vacuum stability, and the many observable calculations readily available in MS‾/DR‾ programs. Pure BSM effects are taken into account at the leading order, including all one-loop contributions to loop-induced processes. The program is implemented as an extension to FlexibleSUSY, which determines the mass spectrum for arbitrary BSM models, and does not require any extra configuration from the user. We compare our predictions for Higgs decays in the SM, singlet extended SM, type II THDM, CMSSM and MRSSM, as well as for squark decays in the CMSSM against a selection of publicly available tools. The numerical differences between our and other programs are explained. The release of FlexibleDecay officially deprecates the old effective couplings routines in FlexibleSUSY. Program summaryProgram Title:FlexibleDecayCPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/2c38hcpp5n.1Developer's repository link:https://github.com/FlexibleSUSY/FlexibleSUSYLicensing provisions: GPLv3Programming language: C++, Wolfram Language, Fortran, Bourne shellNature of problem: Calculation of decay widths of scalar bosons in extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. For the calculation of Higgs boson decay widths known higher-order contributions are taken into account to achieve a high precision.Solution method: The decay widths of the scalar bosons are expressed in terms of Feynman diagrams in a general renormalizable quantum field theory and specialized to the considered model. The resulting expressions are numerically evaluated using special functions and numerical integration.Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features:FlexibleDecay is an addon to FlexibleSUSY [1, 2]. The decay widths can only be calculated in models that can be treated with FlexibleSUSY. Decay widths of fermions or vector bosons are not calculated. For non-Higgs scalar bosons the calculation is restricted to the leading order in the perturbation series.

Gell-Mann-Low Criticality in Neural Networks.

Criticality is deeply related to optimal computational capacity. The lack of a renormalized theory of critical brain dynamics, however, so far limits insights into this form of biological information processing to mean-field results. These methods neglect a key feature of critical systems: the interaction between degrees of freedom across all length scales, required for complex nonlinear computation. We present a renormalized theory of a prototypical neural field theory, the stochastic Wilson-Cowan equation. We compute the flow of couplings, which parametrize interactions on increasing length scales. Despite similarities with the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang model, the theory is of a Gell-Mann-Low type, the archetypal form of a renormalizable quantum field theory. Here, nonlinear couplings vanish, flowing towards the Gaussian fixed point, but logarithmically slowly, thus remaining effective on most scales. We show this critical structure of interactions to implement a desirable trade-off between linearity, optimal for information storage, and nonlinearity, required for computation.

Inverted c-functions in thermal states

We first compute the effect of a chiral anomaly, charge, and a magnetic field on the entanglement entropy in mathcal{N} = 4 Super-Yang-Mills theory at strong coupling via holography. Depending on the width of the entanglement strip the entanglement entropy probes energy scales from the ultraviolet to the infrared energy regime of this quantum field theory (QFT) prepared in a given state. From the entanglement entropy, we compute holographic c-functions and demonstrate an inverted c-theorem for them. That is, these c-functions in generic thermal states monotonically increase towards the infrared (IR) energy regime. This is in contrast to the c-functions in vacuum states which decrease along the renormalization group flow towards the IR regime of a renormalizable QFT. Furthermore, in thermal states and in the IR limit, the c-functions behave thermally, growing proportionally to the value of the thermal entropy. The chiral anomaly affects the c-functions more in the IR regime, and its effect is peaked at an intermediate value of the magnetic field at a fixed chemical potential and temperature.

Symmetry and renormalisation in quantum field theory

Quantum systems governed by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with symmetry are special in having real energy eigenvalues bounded below and unitary time evolution. We argue that symmetry may also be important and present at the level of Hermitian quantum field theories because of the process of renormalisation. In some quantum field theories renormalisation leads to -symmetric effective Lagrangians. We show how symmetry may allow interpretations that evade ghosts and instabilities present in an interpretation of the theory within a Hermitian framework. From the study of examples -symmetric interpretation is naturally built into a path integral formulation of quantum field theory; there is no requirement to calculate explicitly the norm that occurs in Hamiltonian quantum theory. We discuss examples where -symmetric field theories emerge from Hermitian field theories due to effects of renormalisation. We also consider the effects of renormalisation on field theories that are non-Hermitian but -symmetric from the start.

Renormalizability of Alternative Theories of Gravity: Differences between Power Counting and Entropy Argument

It is well known that General Relativity cannot be considered under the standard of a perturbatively renormalizable quantum field theory, but asymptotic safety is taken into account as a possibility for the formulation of gravity as a non-perturbative renormalizable theory. Recently, the entropy argument has however stepped into the discussion claiming for a “no-go” to the asymptotic safety argument. In this paper, we present simple counter-examples, considering alternative theories of gravity, to the entropy argument as further indications, among others, on the possible flows in the assumptions on which the latter is based. We considered different theories, namely curvature-based extensions of General Relativity as f(R), f(G), extensions of teleparallel gravity as f(T), and Horava–Lifshitz gravity, working out the explicit spherically symmetric solutions in order to make a comparison between power counting and the entropy argument. Even in these cases, inconsistencies were found.

ARGES – Advanced Renormalisation Group Equation Simplifier

We present the initial release of ARGES, a toolkit for obtaining renormalisation group equations in perturbation theory. As such, ARGES can handle any perturbatively renormalisable four-dimensional quantum field theory. Notable further features include a symbolic rather than numeric computation, input of unconventional scalar and Yukawa sectors, an interactive evaluation and disentanglement as well as capabilities to inject algebraic simplification rules. We provide a conceptual and practical introduction into ARGES, and highlight similarities and differences with complementary packages. Program summaryProgram Title: ARGESCPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/s2vhxgsk7s.1Licensing provisions: GPLv3Programming language: Wolfram Language (Mathematica)Nature of problem: Computation of renormalisation group equations of perturbatively renormalisable quantum field theories in four space-time dimensions to various orders in the loop expansion.Solution method: Automatize computation of RGEs from input of field content, representations, couplings and index contractions.Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: Allows for variable generations, symmetry representations, and gauge groups. Advanced algebraic structures can be defined via simplification rules.

Braided Rota–Baxter algebras, quantum quasi-shuffle algebras and braided dendriform algebras

Rota–Baxter algebras and the closely related dendriform algebras have important physics applications, especially to renormalization of quantum field theory. Braided structures provide effective ways of quantization such as for quantum groups. Continuing recent study relating the two structures, this paper considers Rota–Baxter algebras and dendriform algebras in the braided contexts. Applying the quantum shuffle and quantum quasi-shuffle products, we construct free objects in the categories of braided Rota–Baxter algebras and braided dendriform algebras, under the commutativity condition. We further generalize the notion of dendriform Hopf algebra to the braided context and show that quantum shuffle algebra gives a braided dendriform Hopf algebra. Enveloping braided commutative Rota–Baxter algebras of braided commutative dendriform algebras are obtained.

Perturbative renormalization of the lattice regularized ϕ44 with flow equations

The flow equations of the renormalization group allow one to analyze the perturbative n-point functions of renormalizable quantum field theories. Rigorous bounds implying renormalizability permit one to control large momentum behavior, infrared singularities, and large order behavior in a number of loops and a number of arguments n. In this paper, we analyze the Euclidean four-dimensional massive ϕ4 theory using lattice regularization. We present a rigorous proof that this quantum field theory is renormalizable to all orders of the loop expansion based on the flow equations. The lattice regularization is known to break Euclidean symmetry. Our main result is the proof of the restoration of rotation and translation invariance in the renormalized theory using flow equations.

Area Law Saturation of Entropy Bound from Perturbative Unitarity in Renormalizable Theories

AbstractWe study the quantum information storage capacity of solitons and baryons in renormalizable quantum field theories that do not include gravity. We observe that a 't Hooft‐Polyakov magnetic monopole saturates the Bekenstein bound on information when the theory saturates the bound on perturbative unitarity. In this very limit the monopole entropy assumes the form of an area‐law, strikingly similar to a black hole entropy in gravity. The phenomenon appears universal and takes place for other solitons and non‐perturbative objects. We observe the same behaviour of entropy of a baryon in QCD with large number of colors. These observations indicate that the area‐law form of the entropy bound extends beyond gravity and is deeply rooted in concepts of weak coupling and perturbative unitarity. One provoked idea is that confinement in QCD may be understood as a prevention mechanism against violation of Bekenstein entropy bound by colored states.

How to renormalize integral equations with singular potentials in effective field theory

We briefly review general concepts of renormalization in quantum field theory and discuss their application to solutions of integral equations with singular potentials in the few-nucleon sector of the low-energy effective field theory of QCD. We also describe a particular subtractive renormalization scheme and consider a specific application to a toy-model with a singular potential serving as its effective field theoretical leading-order approximation.

A conjecture on the minimal size of bound states

We conjecture that, in a renormalizable effective quantum field theory where the heaviest stable particle has mass mm, there are no bound states with radius below 1/m1/m (Bound State Conjecture). We are motivated by the (scalar) Weak Gravity Conjecture, which can be read as a statement forbidding certain bound states. As we discuss, versions for uncharged particles and their generalizations have shortcomings. This leads us to the suggestion that one should only constrain rather than exclude bound objects. In the gravitational case, the resulting conjecture takes the sharp form of forbidding the adiabatic construction of black holes smaller than 1/m1/m. But this minimal bound-state radius remains non-trivial as M_\mathrm{P}\to \inftyMP→∞, leading us to suspect a feature of QFT rather than a quantum gravity constraint. We find support in a number of examples which we analyze at a parametric level.

Matching high-energy electroweak fermion loops onto the Fermi theory without higher dimensional operators

We derive the conditions for matching high-energy renormalizable Quantum Field Theories onto low-energy nonrenormalizable ones by means of the FDR approach described in [1]. Our procedure works order-by-order in the loop expansion and avoids the addition of higher dimensional interactions into the nonrenormalizable Lagrangian. To illustrate our strategy, we match the high-energy fermion-loop corrections computed in the complete electroweak theory onto the nonrenormalizable four-fermion Fermi model. As a result, the Fermi Lagrangian can be used without modifications to reproduce, at arbitrary loop orders and energies, the exact electroweak interactions between two massless fermion lines induced by one-fermion-loop resummed gauge boson propagators.