Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory
We present a novel approach to computing transition probabilities in quantum field theory, which allows them to be written directly in terms of expectation values of nested commutators and anti-commutators of field operators, rather than squared matrix elements. We show that this leads to a diagramm...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
IOP Publishing
2017
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47785/ |
| _version_ | 1848797629602856960 |
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| author | Dickinson, Robert Forshaw, Jeff Millington, Peter |
| author_facet | Dickinson, Robert Forshaw, Jeff Millington, Peter |
| author_sort | Dickinson, Robert |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | We present a novel approach to computing transition probabilities in quantum field theory, which allows them to be written directly in terms of expectation values of nested commutators and anti-commutators of field operators, rather than squared matrix elements. We show that this leads to a diagrammatic expansion in which the retarded propagator plays a dominant role. As a result, one is able to see clearly how faster-than-light signalling is prevented between sources and detectors. Finally, we comment on potential implications of this approach for dealing with infra-red divergences. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:06:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-47785 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:06:54Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-477852020-05-04T19:01:34Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47785/ Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory Dickinson, Robert Forshaw, Jeff Millington, Peter We present a novel approach to computing transition probabilities in quantum field theory, which allows them to be written directly in terms of expectation values of nested commutators and anti-commutators of field operators, rather than squared matrix elements. We show that this leads to a diagrammatic expansion in which the retarded propagator plays a dominant role. As a result, one is able to see clearly how faster-than-light signalling is prevented between sources and detectors. Finally, we comment on potential implications of this approach for dealing with infra-red divergences. IOP Publishing 2017-08-21 Article PeerReviewed Dickinson, Robert, Forshaw, Jeff and Millington, Peter (2017) Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 880 (1). 012041/1-012041/8. ISSN 1742-6596 https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/880/1/012041 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/880/1/012041 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/880/1/012041 |
| spellingShingle | Dickinson, Robert Forshaw, Jeff Millington, Peter Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory |
| title | Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory |
| title_full | Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory |
| title_fullStr | Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory |
| title_full_unstemmed | Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory |
| title_short | Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory |
| title_sort | working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47785/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47785/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47785/ |