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Correct path-integral formulation of quantum thermal field theory in coherent-state representation

Jun-Chen Su·Fu-Hou Zheng
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Abstract

The path-integral quantization of thermal scalar, vector and spinor fields is performed newly in the coherent-state representation. In doing this, we choose the thermal electrodynamics and $ϕ^4$ theory as examples. By this quantization, correct expressions of the partition functions and the generating functionals for the quantum thermal electrodynamics and $ϕ^4$ theory are obtained in the coherent-state representation. These expressions allow us to perform analytical calculations of the partition functions and generating functionals and therefore are useful in practical applications. Especially, the perturbative expansions of the generating functionals are derived specifically by virtue of the stationary-phase method. The generating functionals formulated in the position space are re-derived from the ones given in the coherent-state representation.

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Jun-Chen Su, Fu-Hou Zheng. 2005-10-17. Correct path-integral formulation of quantum thermal field theory in coherent-state representation. https://doi.org/10.1088/0253-6102%2F43%2F4%2F016

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