Quantum scale invariance in gauge theories and applications to muon production

Abstract

We discuss quantum scale invariance in (scale invariant) gauge theories with both ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) divergences. Firstly, their BRST invariance is checked in two apparently unrelated approaches using a scale invariant regularisation (SIR). These approaches are then shown to be equivalent. Secondly, for the Abelian case we discuss both UV and IR quantum corrections present in such theories. We present the Feynman rules in a form suitable for offshell Green functions calculations, together with their one-loop renormalisation. This information is then used for the muon production cross section at one-loop in a quantum scale invariant theory. Such a theory contains not only new UV poles but also IR poles. While the UV poles bring new quantum corrections (in the form of counterterms), finite or divergent, that we compute, it is shown that the IR poles do not bring new physics. The IR quantum corrections, both finite and divergent, cancel out similarly to the way the IR poles themselves cancel in the traditional approach to IR divergences (in the cross section, after summing over virtual and real corrections). Hence, the evanescent interactions induced by the scale-invariant analytical continuation of the SIR scheme do not affect IR physics, as illustrated at one-loop for the muon production ($e^+ e^- \to \mu^+\mu^-$) cross section.