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arXiv · hep-th/0302002

Pictures and equations of motion in Lagrangian quantum field theory

Abstract

The Heisenberg, interaction, and Schrödinger pictures of motion are considered in Lagrangian (canonical) quantum field theory. The equations of motion (for state vectors and field operators) are derived for arbitrary Lagrangians which are polynomial or convergent power series in field operators and their first derivatives. The general links between different time-dependent pictures of motion are derived. It is pointed that all of them admit covariant formulation, similar to the one of interaction picture. A new picture, called the momentum picture, is proposed. It is a 4-dimensional analogue of the Schrödinger picture of quantum mechanics as in it the state vectors are spacetime-dependent, while the field operators are constant relative to the spacetime. The equations of motion in momentum picture are derived and partially discussed. In particular, the ones for the field operators turn to be of algebraic type. The general idea of covariant pictures of motion is presented. The equations of motion in these pictures are derived.

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BibTeXRIS

Bozhidar Z. Iliev. 2003-02-01. Pictures and equations of motion in Lagrangian quantum field theory. https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0302002

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