Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2307.06114

Infrared problem in quantum electrodynamics

Paweł Duch·Wojciech Dybalski
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The infrared problem in quantum electrodynamics consists of intriguing difficulties in scattering theory appearing at large scales and low energies. Although they can be circumvented using ad hoc recipes, such as the inclusive collision cross sections, there have been continuing efforts to reach a conceptually clear and mathematically rigorous understanding. In this article we focus on such developments of the last two decades. We start from the Buchholz-Roberts approach in the setting of algebraic QFT, which is based on the idea that there should be no infrared problems inside the future lightcone. Then we move on to the setting of non-relativistic QED, where insights from Haag-Ruelle scattering theory and the Faddeev-Kulish formalism suggest concrete formulas for the physical electron. Finally, in a setting of perturbative QFT, we outline a recent proposal for an infrared finite scattering matrix, which is also in the spirit of the Faddeev-Kulish approach.

Explore related subjects

math-phmath.MP

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Paweł Duch, Wojciech Dybalski. 2023-07-12. Infrared problem in quantum electrodynamics. https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.06114

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Topological Orders from Reflection Positive Frustration-free Hamiltonians

We establish a framework based on reflection positivity for analyzing topologically ordered quantum spin systems and reconstructing their boundary algebras. For any reflection positive frustration-free Hamiltonian, we prove that the local topological quantum order (LTQO) condition of ground states on a disk holds, if and only if the ground state on the sphere obtained by gluing the disk with its reflection is nondegenerate. Furthermore, we show that Osterwalder-Schrader reconstruction produces the local net of boundary operator algebras from the local ground states, offering a constructive approach to topological holography through spatial reflection positivity.

math-ph↗
arXiv2026

Generalised Langevin Dynamics: Significance and Limitations of the Projection Operator Formalism

We discuss some mathematical aspects of the Mori-Zwanzig projection operator formalism. The core of the Mori-Zwanzig formalism is the generalised Langevin equation, which is typically derived from the Dyson-Duhamel identity. We recall the derivation of the projection operator formalism for Mori's projection by means of semigroup theory, and we discuss where rigorous methods fail for the case of Zwanzig's projection. For bounded perturbations of the time-evolution operator (e.g. for Mori's projection), the Dyson-Duhamel identity coincides with the variation of constants formula. For unbounded perturbations (e.g. for Zwanzigs's projection), the Dyson-Duhamel identity should be considered an equation for the orthogonal dynamics, for which the existence of unique solutions has yet to be established. Then we recall that all properties of Mori's generalised Langevin equation follow directly from the well-posedness of Volterra equations, irrespective of the projection operator formalism. Further, we discuss the use of Mori's generalised Langevin equation as a coarse-grained model. Finally, we illustrate that the memory term is a coupling term that is not necessarily related to memory. To this end, we introduce projections onto subspaces of 'fast' and 'slow' variables that are associated with the spectral decomposition of skew-adjoint operators. For these projections, the memory term vanishes.

math-ph↗
arXiv2026

Universal fusion category symmetries on tensor products of infinite-dimensional Hilbert spaces

We show that anyon chains, after stabilizing with infinite-dimensional ancilla spaces, factorize locally as tensor products of infinite-dimensional Hilbert spaces. This implies that any unitary fusion category can be realized as symmetries on a tensor product of infinite-dimensional Hilbert spaces. We then show that any two anyon chains with the same symmetry category are related by a symmetry-compatible locality-preserving unitary after stabilizing with infinite-dimensional ancilla, showing that for a fixed fusion category, there is a single stable equivalence class of symmetry realizations on the lattice via anyon chains. As a corollary of our proof, we show that the physical boundary algebras of Levin-Wen type models are bounded spread isomorphic after stabilization if and only if they have the same bulk topological order.

math-ph↗