arXiv subjects

Dennis D. Dietrich

Publications and source records attributed to Dennis D. Dietrich.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Fermions in worldline holography

We analyse the worldline holographic framework for fermions. Worldline holography is based on the observation that in the worldline approach to quantum field theory, sources of a quantum field theory over Mink$_4$ naturally form a field theory over AdS$_5$ to all orders in the elementary fields and in the sources. Schwinger's proper time of the worldline formalism automatically appears with the physical four spacetime dimensions in an AdS$_5$ geometry. The worldline holographic effective action in general and the proper-time profiles of the sources in particular solve a renormalisation group equation. By taking into account sources up to spin one, we reconstruct seminal holographic models. Considering spin two confirms AdS$_5$ as consistent background.

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arXiv2016

Thermal worldline holography

For a quantum field theory over four-dimensional Minkowski space at zero temperature worldline holography states, that it can be expressed as a field theory of its sources over five-dimensional AdS space to all orders in its elementary fields, the fifth dimension being Schwinger's proper time of the worldline formalism. For the finite temperatures studied here worldline holography yields either a thermal AdS space or an AdS black hole as five-dimensional manifolds. Comparing the values of the five-dimensional action for the two alternatives does not predict a phase transition as a function of the temperature. This absence is crucially linked to the used coordinates, and worldline holography predicts the Fefferman-Graham form. For these coordinates the only way to tilt the scales in favour of one or the other spacetime is to switch between fermionic or bosonic elementary matter.

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arXiv2016

Schwinger's proper time and worldline holographic renormalisation

Worldline holography states that within the framework of the worldline approach to quantum field theory, sources of a quantum field theory over Mink$_4$ naturally form a field theory over AdS$_5$ {\sl to all orders} in the elementary fields and in the sources of arbitrary spin. (Such correspondences are also available for other pairs of spacetimes, not only Mink$_4\leftrightarrow\mathrm{AdS}_5$.) Schwinger's proper time of the worldline formalism is automatically grouped with the physical four spacetime dimensions into an AdS$_5$ geometry. We show that the worldline holographic effective action in general and the proper-time profiles of the sources in particular solve a renormalisation group equation and, reversely, can be defined as solution to the latter. This fact also ensures regulator independence.

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arXiv2015

All-orders worldline holography and higher spins

By using the worldline approach to quantum field theory, we demonstrate to all orders that the sources of a quantum field theory over Mink$_4$ naturally form a field theory over AdS$_5$. In particular, this holds for higher-spin sources of a free scalar theory. We work entirely within quantum-field theory and do not select a subset of diagrams. As auxiliary fifth dimension Schwinger's proper time is grouped with the physical four spacetime dimensions into an AdS$_5$ geometry. The four-dimensional sources are extended to five-dimensional fields by a Wilson flow (gradient flow). A variational principle for said flow reproduces the corresponding holographic computation.

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arXiv2015

Strong interactions in air showers

We study the role new gauge interactions in extensions of the standard model play in air showers initiated by ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. Hadron-hadron events remain dominated by quantum chromodynamics, while projectiles and/or targets from beyond the standard model permit us to see qualitative differences arising due to the new interactions.

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arXiv2014

Worldline holographic Schwinger effect

The decay of the vacuum due to the presence of an electric field is expected to be delayed by a confining force. We demonstrate that this feature is captured by our model [arXiv:1404.0011 [hep-ph],arXiv:1312.5718 [hep-ph]] for hadrons based on the worldline formalism. Our model, while based entirely in four-dimensional quantum field theory, shares many features with holographic approaches: it appears intrinsically quantum mechanical; as an auxiliary fifth dimension Schwinger's proper time combines with the physical four spacetime dimensions into an AdS$_5$ geometry; conformal-symmetry breaking contributions lead to warping; hidden local symmetry emerges; four-dimensional sources are extended to five-dimensional fields by a Wilson flow (gradient flow); and a variational principle for this flow reproduces the corresponding holographic calculation. The approach also yields the higher-dimensional description in the non-relativistic case.

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arXiv2014

The fifth dimension in the worldline formalism, holography, and the Wilson flow

We develop a model for hadrons in the framework of the worldline formalism. While being based wholly in four-dimensional quantum field theory, it shares many features with holographic approaches: Already by the use of the worldline formalism the approach appears intrinsically quantum mechanical. As auxiliary fifth dimension Schwinger's proper time is grouped with the physical four spacetime dimensions into an AdS5 geometry, which is warped due to conformal-symmetry breaking effects. Hidden local symmetry is emergent. The four-dimensional sources are extended to five-dimensional fields by a Wilson flow (gradient flow). A variational principle for the flow reproduces exactly the corresponding holographic computation. The worldline approach also yields the higher-dimensional description in the non-relativistic case.

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arXiv2014

Hadrons on the worldline, holography, and Wilson flow

Holographic principles have impacted the way we look at strong coupling phenomena in quantum chromodynamics, strongly interacting extensions of the standard model, and {condensed-matter} physics. In real world settings, however, we still lack understanding of why and when such an approach is justified. Therefore, here, without invoking any such principle a priori, we demonstrate how such a picture arises in the worldline formulation of quantum field theory. Among other connections to holographic models, a warped AdS5 geometry, a quantum mechanical picture, and hidden local symmetry emerge, as well as a Wilson flow (gradient flow), which extends the four-dimensional sources to five-dimensional fields and a link to the Gutzwiller trace formula. The worldline formulation also reproduces the non-relativistic case, which is important for condensed-matter physics.

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arXiv2013

Asymptotic description of finite lifetime effects on the photon emission from a quark-gluon plasma

Direct photons play an important role as electromagnetic probes from the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) which occurs during ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. In this context, it is of particular interest how the finite lifetime of the QGP affects the resulting photon production. Earlier investigations on this question were accompanied by a divergent contribution from the vacuum polarization and by the remaining contributions not being integrable in the ultraviolet (UV) domain. In this work, we provide a different approach in which we do not consider the photon number density at finite times, but for free asymptotic states obtained by switching the electromagnetic interaction according to the Gell-Mann and Low theorem. This procedure eliminates a possible unphysical contribution from the vacuum polarization and, moreover, renders the photon number density UV integrable. It is emphasized that the consideration of free asymptotic states is, indeed, crucial to obtain such physically reasonable results.

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arXiv2013

Non-equilibrium photon production arising from the chiral mass shift

We investigate the photon emission arising from the shift of the quark/antiquark masses during the chiral phase transition in the early stage of ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. As this mass shift leads to spontaneous creation of quark-antiquark pairs and thus contributes to the formation of the quark-gluon plasma, our investigations are relevant in the context of finite-lifetime effects on the photon emission from the latter. Earlier investigations on this topic by Boyanovsky et al. were plagued by a UV divergent contribution from the vacuum polarization and the non-integrability of the remaining contributions in the ultraviolet domain. In contrast to these investigations, we do not consider the photon number-density at finite times but for free asymptotic states obtained by an adiabatic switching of the electromagnetic interaction according to the Gell-Mann and Low theorem. This approach eliminates possible unphysical contributions from the vacuum polarization and renders the resulting photon spectra integrable in the ultraviolet domain. It is emphasized that the consideration of free asymptotic states is indeed crucial to obtain such physically reasonable results.

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arXiv2013

Towards a Born term for hadrons

We study bound states of abelian gauge theory in D=1+1 dimensions using an equal-time, Poincare-covariant framework. The normalization of the linear confining potential is determined by a boundary condition in the solution of Gauss' law for the instantaneous A^0 field. As in the case of the Dirac equation, the norm of the relativistic fermion-antifermion (f\bar{f}) wave functions gives inclusive particle densities. However, while the Dirac spectrum is known to be continuous, we find that regular f\bar{f} solutions exist only for discrete bound state masses. The f\bar{f} wave functions are consistent with the parton picture when the kinetic energy of the fermions is large compared to the binding potential. We verify that the electromagnetic form factors of the bound states are gauge invariant and calculate the parton distributions from the transition form factors in the Bjorken limit. For relativistic states we find a large sea contribution at low Bjorken x. Since the potential is independent of the gauge coupling the bound states may serve as "Born terms" in a perturbative expansion, in analogy to the usual plane wave in and out states.

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arXiv2012

Off-equilibrium photon production during the chiral phase transition

In the early stage of ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions chiral symmetry is restored temporarily. During this so-called chiral phase transition, the quark masses change from their constituent to their bare values. This mass shift leads to the spontaneous non-perturbative creation of quark-antiquark pairs, which effectively contributes to the formation of the quark-gluon plasma. We investigate the photon production induced by this creation process. We provide an approach that eliminates possible unphysical contributions from the vacuum polarization and renders the resulting photon spectra integrable inthe ultraviolet domain. The off-equilibrium photon numbers are of quadratic order in the perturbative coupling constants while a thermal production is only of quartic order. Quantitatively, we find, however, that for the most physical mass-shift scenarios and for photon momenta larger than 1 GeV the off-equilibrium processes contribute less photons than the thermal processes.

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arXiv2012

Boosting equal time bound states

We present an explicit and exact boost of a relativistic bound state defined at equal time of the constituents in the Born approximation (lowest order in hbar). To this end, we construct the Poincaré generators of QED and QCD in D=1+1 dimensions, using Gauss' law to express A^0 in terms of the fermion fields in A^1=0 gauge. We determine the fermion-antifermion bound states in the Born approximation as eigenstates of the time and space translation generators P^0 and P^1. The boost operator is combined with a gauge transformation so as to maintain the gauge condition A^1=0 in the new frame. We verify that the boosted state remains an eigenstate of P^0 and P^1 with appropriately transformed eigenvalues and determine the transformation law of the equal-time, relativistic wave function. The shape of the wave function is independent of the CM momentum when expressed in terms of a variable, which is quadratically related to the distance x between the fermions. As a consequence, the Lorentz contraction of the wave function is proportional to 1/(E-V(x)) and thus depends on x via the linear potential V(x).

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arXiv2011

Cosmological Classicalization: Maintaining Unitarity under Relevant Deformations of the Einstein-Hilbert Action

Generic relevant deformations of Einstein's gravity theory contain additional degrees of freedom that have a multi-facetted stabilization dynamics on curved spacetimes. We show that these relevant degrees of freedom are self-protected against unitarity violations by the formation of classical field lumps that eventually merge to a new background geometry. The transition is heralded by the massive decay of the original vacuum and evolves through a strong coupling regime. This process fits in the recently proposed classicalization mechanism and extends it further to free field dynamics on curved backgrounds.

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arXiv2011

Consistency of Relevant Cosmological Deformations on all Scales

Using cosmological perturbation theory we show that the most relevant defor- mation of gravity is consistent at the linear level. In particular, we prove the absence of uni- tarity violating negative norm states in the weak coupling regime from sub- to super-Hubble scales. This demonstrates that the recently proposed classical self-protection mechanism of deformed gravity extends to the entire kinematical domain.

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arXiv2010

Self-Protection of Massive Cosmological Gravitons

Relevant deformations of gravity present an exciting window of opportunity to probe the rigidity of gravity on cosmological scales. For a single-graviton theory, the leading relevant deformation constitutes a graviton mass term. In this paper, we investigate the classical and quantum stability of massive cosmological gravitons on generic Friedman backgrounds. For a Universe expanding towards a de Sitter epoch, we find that massive cosmological gravitons are self-protected against unitarity violations by a strong coupling phenomenon.

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arXiv2010

Quasiconformality and mass

We identify universal quasiconformal (walking) behaviour in non-Abelian gauge field theories based on the mass-dependent all-order beta-function introduced in arXiv:0908.1364. We find different types of walking behaviour in the presence of (partially) massive species. We employ our findings to the construction of candidate theories for dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking by walking technicolour.

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arXiv2009

A mass-dependent beta-function

Threshold effects related to fermion masses are considered for an all-order beta-function based on a background field momentum subtraction scheme. Far away from all thresholds, the suggested beta-function reduces to the conjectured all-order form inspired by the Novikov-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov beta-function of N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories with a fixed integer number of fermion flavours. At (formally) infinite masses the corresponding pure Yang--Mills beta-function is recovered. We discuss applications to the phase diagram of non-Abelian field theories.

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