FINITE FORMULATION OF QUANTUM FIELD THEORY

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963

OSTI ID:4658001

Pugh, R E

A fundamental integral equation to be satisfied by all quantum fields is proposed. lt is shown that this equation determines all S-matrix elements. The axiom of microscopic causality was not assumed, and the asymptotic behavior of field operators follows from the theory. The boundary conditions imposed upon the S-matrix elements limit the types of interaction to the renormalizable'' ones. Within the framework of perturbation theory, it is proven that finite solutions exist to all orders. It is also shown how the general S-matrix elements may be determined. The CPT theorem is a simple consequence of the theory. The formalism was extended to quantum electrodynamics where it is shown that the gauge invariance of the theory is a consequence of the unitarity of the S-matrix and the Lorentz condition. The latter is imposed only on the wave functions of the photons in the asymptotic regions, not on either the operators or the state vectors. Finally, it is shown how the concept of the external field arises naturally in the appropriate physical situations. (Dissertation Abstr.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-17-038426
• OSTI ID: 4658001
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BEHAVIOR
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CPT INVARIANCE
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
FIELD THEORY
GAUGE INVARIANCE
INTEGRALS
INTERACTIONS
MATHEMATICS
MATRICES
PERTURBATION THEORY
PHOTONS
PHYSICS
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
S-MATRIX
SCATTERING
VECTORS