Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory

Dickinson, Robert; Forshaw, Jeff; Millington, Peter

Abstract

We present a novel approach to computing transition probabilities in quantum field theory, which allows them to be written directly in terms of expectation values of nested commutators and anti-commutators of field operators, rather than squared matrix elements. We show that this leads to a diagrammatic expansion in which the retarded propagator plays a dominant role. As a result, one is able to see clearly how faster-than-light signalling is prevented between sources and detectors. Finally, we comment on potential implications of this approach for dealing with infra-red divergences.

Citation

Dickinson, R., Forshaw, J., & Millington, P. (2017). Working directly with probabilities in quantum field theory. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 880(1), Article 012041. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/880/1/012041

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Conference Name: 8th International Workshop DICE2016: Spacetime - Matter - Quantum Mechanics
• End Date: Sep 16, 2016
• Acceptance Date: Aug 9, 2017
• Publication Date: Aug 21, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 2, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 2, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Physics: Conference Series
• Print ISSN: 1742-6588
• Electronic ISSN: 1742-6596
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 880
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 012041
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/880/1/012041
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/878562
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/880/1/012041
• Additional Information: Conference paper presented at 8th International Conference DICE2016 "Spacetime - Matter - Quantum Mechanics" 12-16 Sept 2016, Castiglioncello, Tuscany, Italy