Quantum Newtonian dynamics on a light front

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Physical Review, D

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.59.025005· OSTI ID:295579

Thorn, C B ^[1]

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1. Institute for Fundamental Theory, Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611 (United States)

We recall the special features of quantum dynamics on a light front (in an infinite momentum frame) in string and field theory. The reason this approach is more effective for string than for fields is stressed: the light-front dynamics for string is that of a true Newtonian many particle system, since a string bit has a fixed Newtonian mass. In contrast, each particle of a field theory has a variable Newtonian mass P{sup +}; so the Newtonian analogy actually requires an infinite number of species of elementary Newtonian particles. This complication substantially weakens the value of the Newtonian analogy in applying light-front dynamics to nonperturbative problems. Motivated by the fact that conventional field theories can be obtained as infinite tension limits of string theories, we propose a way to recast field theory as a standard Newtonian system. We devise and analyze some simple quantum mechanical systems that display the essence of the proposal, and we discuss prospects for applying these ideas to large N{sub c} QCD. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}

• OSTI ID: 295579
• Journal Information: Physical Review, D, Journal Name: Physical Review, D Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 59; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
LIGHT CONE
QUANTUM CHROMODYNAMICS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RELATIVITY THEORY
STRING MODELS