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arXiv · 1906.08626

Path integrals for higher derivative actions

David S. Dean·Bing Miao·Rudi Podgornik
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Abstract

We consider Euclidean path integrals with higher derivative actions, including those that depend quadratically on acceleration, velocity and position. Such path integrals arise naturally in the study of stiff polymers, membranes with bending rigidity as well as a number of models for electrolytes. The approach used is based on the relation between quadratic path integrals and Gaussian fields and we also show how it can be extended to the evaluation of even higher order path integrals.

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David S. Dean, Bing Miao, Rudi Podgornik. 2019-06-20. Path integrals for higher derivative actions. https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8121/ab54df

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