On the Lorentz-Invariance of the Dyson Series in Theories with Derivative Couplings

We study the Dyson series for the S-matrix, when the interaction depends on derivatives of the fields. We concentrate on two particular examples: the scalar electrodynamics and the renormalized ф4 theory. By using Wick’s theorem, we eventually give evidence that the Lorentz invariance is satisfied, and the usual Feynman rules can be applied to the interaction Lagrangian.

Interacting Fields

We present a simple form of the Wightman axioms in a four-dimensional Minkowski space-time which are supposed to define a physically interesting interacting quantum field theory. Two important consequences follow from these axioms. The first is the invariance under CPT which implies, in particular, the equality of masses and lifetimes for particles and anti-particles. The second is the connection between spin and statistics. We give examples of interacting field theories and develop the perturbation expansion for Green functions. We derive the Feynman rules, both in configuration and in momentum space, for some simple interacting theories. The rules are unambiguous and allow, in principle, to compute any Green function at any order in perturbation.

Scattering in Quantum Field Theory

We show that the use of the perturbation expansion around the free field Hamiltonian imposes severe constraints for the scattering formalism to be applicable. We present the physical assumptions which are necessary in order to define the asymptotic states and the scattering matrix in quantum field theory. A very important physical requirement is the property of short range for all interactions, which implies the absence of zero mass particles. We derive the reduction formula and obtain the Feynman rules for the scattering amplitude. We give examples of low order computations for the electron Compton scattering, the electron–positron annihilation into a muon pair and the decay of charged pions.

Wigner’s Friend Scenarios and the Internal Consistency of Standard Quantum Mechanics

Wigner’s friend scenarios involve an Observer, or Observers, measuring a Friend, or Friends, who themselves make quantum measurements. In recent discussions, it has been suggested that quantum mechanics may not always be able to provide a consistent account of a situation involving two Observers and two Friends. We investigate this problem by invoking the basic rules of quantum mechanics as outlined by Feynman in the well-known “Feynman Lectures on Physics”. We show here that these “Feynman rules” constrain the a priori assumptions which can be made in generalised Wigner’s friend scenarios, because the existence of the probabilities of interest ultimately depends on the availability of physical evidence (material records) of the system’s past. With these constraints obeyed, a non-ambiguous and consistent account of all measurement outcomes is obtained for all agents, taking part in various Wigner’s Friend scenarios.

Wavelet field decomposition and UV ‘opaqueness’

A large body of work over several decades indicates that, in the presence of gravitational interactions, there is loss of localization resolution within a fundamental (∼ Planck) length scale ℓ. We develop a general formalism based on wavelet decomposition of fields that takes this UV ‘opaqueness’ into account in a natural and mathematically well-defined manner. This is done by requiring fields in a local Lagrangian to be expandable in only the scaling parts of a (complete or, in a more general version, partial) wavelet Multi-Resolution Analysis. This delocalizes the interactions, now mediated through the opaque regions, inside which they are rapidly decaying. The opaque regions themselves are capable of discrete excitations of ∼ 1/ℓ spacing. The resulting effective Feynman rules, which give UV regulated and (perturbatively) unitary physical amplitudes, resemble those of string field theory.

Renormalization of the C2HDM with FeynMaster 2

We present the one-loop electroweak renormalization of the CP-violating 2-Higgs-Doublet Model with softly broken ℤ2 symmetry (C2HDM). The existence of CP violation in the scalar sector of the model leads to a quite unique process of renormalization, since it requires the introduction of several non-physical parameters. The C2HDM will thus have more independent counterterms than independent renormalized parameters. As a consequence, different combinations of counterterms can be taken as independent for the same set of independent renormalized parameters. We compare the behaviour of selected combinations in specific NLO processes, which are assured to be gauge independent via a simple prescription. FeynMaster 2 is used to derive the Feynman rules, counterterms and one-loop processes in a simultaneously automatic and flexible way. This illustrates its use as an ideal tool to renormalize models such as the C2HDM and investigate them at NLO.

Replacing the Notion of Spacetime Distance by the Notion of Correlation

Spacetime is conventionally viewed as a stage on which actors, in the form of massive and massless matter, move. In this study, we explore what may lie beyond this picture. The starting point is the observation that quantum field fluctuations are the more strongly correlated the shorter their spacetime distance. The notion of spacetime distance can, therefore, be replaced by the notion of correlation strength. This suggests a new picture in which the abstract 2-point and multi-point correlations are the primary structure, a picture which is essentially information-theoretic. In the low energy regime, the secondary notions of spacetime and of matter would then emerge as approximate representations of the abstract correlators, namely, in the form of Feynman rules on curved spacetime.

Higher-spin particles at high-energy colliders

Using an effective field theory approach for higher-spin fields, we derive the interactions of colour singlet and electrically neutral particles with a spin higher than unity, concentrating on the spin-3/2, spin-2, spin-5/2 and spin-3 cases. We compute the decay rates and production cross sections in the main channels for spin-3/2 and spin-2 states at both electron-positron and hadron colliders, and identify the most promising novel experimental signatures for discovering such particles at the LHC. The discussion is qualitatively extended to the spin-5/2 and spin-3 cases. Higher-spin particles exhibit a rich phenomenology and have signatures that often resemble the ones of supersymmetric and extra-dimensional theories. To enable further studies of higher-spin particles at collider and beyond, we collect the relevant Feynman rules and other technical details.