A class of QFTs with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitations

Given any (Feynman) propagator which is Lorentz and translation invariant, it is possible to construct an action functional for a scalar field such that the quantum field theory, obtained by path integral quantization, leads to this propagator. In general, such a theory will involve derivatives of t...

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Main Author: T. Padmanabhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-12-01
Series:Physics Letters B
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269320307152
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author T. Padmanabhan
author_facet T. Padmanabhan
author_sort T. Padmanabhan
collection DOAJ
description Given any (Feynman) propagator which is Lorentz and translation invariant, it is possible to construct an action functional for a scalar field such that the quantum field theory, obtained by path integral quantization, leads to this propagator. In general, such a theory will involve derivatives of the field higher than two and can even involve derivatives of infinite order. The poles of the given propagator determine the dispersion relation for the excitations of this field. I show that it is possible to construct field theories in which the dispersion relation is the same as that of standard Klein-Gordan field, even though the Lagrangian contains derivatives of infinite order. I provide a concrete example of this situation starting from a propagator which incorporates the effects of the zero-point-length of the spacetime. I compare the path integral approach with an alternative, operator-based approach, and highlight the advantages of using the former.
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spelling doaj.art-feacac450aa5427c996447883eb11d8f2022-12-21T23:49:45ZengElsevierPhysics Letters B0370-26932020-12-01811135912A class of QFTs with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitationsT. Padmanabhan0IUCAA, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411 007, IndiaGiven any (Feynman) propagator which is Lorentz and translation invariant, it is possible to construct an action functional for a scalar field such that the quantum field theory, obtained by path integral quantization, leads to this propagator. In general, such a theory will involve derivatives of the field higher than two and can even involve derivatives of infinite order. The poles of the given propagator determine the dispersion relation for the excitations of this field. I show that it is possible to construct field theories in which the dispersion relation is the same as that of standard Klein-Gordan field, even though the Lagrangian contains derivatives of infinite order. I provide a concrete example of this situation starting from a propagator which incorporates the effects of the zero-point-length of the spacetime. I compare the path integral approach with an alternative, operator-based approach, and highlight the advantages of using the former.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269320307152
spellingShingle T. Padmanabhan
A class of QFTs with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitations
Physics Letters B
title A class of QFTs with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitations
title_full A class of QFTs with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitations
title_fullStr A class of QFTs with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitations
title_full_unstemmed A class of QFTs with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitations
title_short A class of QFTs with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitations
title_sort class of qfts with higher derivative field equations leading to standard dispersion relation for the particle excitations
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269320307152
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