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arXiv · 2203.16689

Undecidable problems in quantum field theory

Yuji Tachikawa
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Abstract

We point out that some questions in quantum field theory are undecidable in a precise mathematical sense. More concretely, it will be demonstrated that there is no algorithm answering whether a given 2d supersymmetric Lagrangian theory breaks supersymmetry or not. It will also be shown that there is a specific 2d supersymmetric Lagrangian theory which breaks supersymmetry if and only if the standard Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory with the axiom of choice is consistent, which can never be proved or disproved as the consequence of G\"odel's second incompleteness theorem. The article includes a brief and informal introduction to the phenomenon of undecidability and its previous appearances in theoretical physics.

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Yuji Tachikawa. 2022-03-30. Undecidable problems in quantum field theory. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10773-023-05357-1

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