arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to T. S. Evans.
We look at a real scalar field in thermal equilibrium in the context of the new normal ordering and field split defined by Evans and Steer. We show that the field split defines a natural canonical transformation, but that this transformation differs from others known in thermal field theory.
We consider arbitrary splits of field operators into two parts, and use the corresponding definition of normal ordering introduced by Evans and Steer. In this case the normal ordered products and contractions have none of the special symmetry properties assumed in existing proofs of Wick's theorem. Despite this, we prove that Wick's theorem still holds in its usual form as long as the contraction is a c-number. Wick's theorem is thus shown to be much more general than existing derivations suggest, and we discuss possible simplifying applications of this result.
The phase structure of the 3D SU(2)--Higgs model, the dimensionally reduced effective theory for the electroweak model at finite temperature, is analysed on the lattice using a variant of the linear $\de$--expansion. We develop a systematic variational cumulant expansion for general application to the study of gauge invariant operators in 3D gauge-Higgs models, with emphasis on the symmetric phase. In particular, the technique is not restricted to finite lattice volumes, and application to the fundamental 3D SU(2)--Higgs model allows the discontinuity of certain observables across the first--order transition to be observed directly for small 4D Higgs masses. The resulting phase structure agrees well with Monte Carlo simulations for small Higgs masses, but, at least to the order calculated, the technique is less sensitive to the expected evolution of the transition to a crossover for Higgs masses above 80 GeV.
We describe an application of the linear $\de$-expansion to the calculation of correlation functions in SU(2)-Higgs lattice gauge theory. A significant advantage of the technique is that an infinite volume lattice may be used, allowing the non-analyticity in certain observables at a phase transition to be observed directly. We illustrate the approach with a preliminary application to the 3D SU(2)-Higgs model, as the dimensionally reduced effective theory for the electroweak standard model at high temperature, and calculate certain gauge invariant observables near the phase boundaries.
We consider Wick's Theorem for finite temperature and finite volume systems. Working at an operator level with a path ordered approach, we show that contrary to claims in the literature, expectation values of normal ordered products can be chosen to be zero and that results obtained are independent of volume. Thus the path integral and operator approaches to finite temperature and finite volume quantum field theories are indeed seen to be identical. The conditions under which normal ordered products have simple symmetry properties are also considered.
I study how to apply relativistic quantum field theory to condensed matter systems. The motivation for this is examined and then two separate elements are considered. First we identify the precise relationship between relativistic and non-relativistic fields. Second we consider the need for a chemical potential and how one includes this in static and dynamical calculations.
We examine string (vortex) formation at a quench for a weakly-coupled global U(1) theory when the excitation spectrum is non-relativistic. It is so similar to vortex production in the corresponding relativistic plasma as to reinforce arguments for the similarity of vortex production in the early universe and in low-temperature many-body physics.
We develop winding number correlation functions that allow us to assess the role of field fluctuations on vortex formation in an Abelian gauge theory. We compute the behavior of these correlation functions in simple circumstances and show how fluctuations are important in the vicinity of the phase transition. We further show that, in our approximation, the emerging population of long/infinite string is produced by the classical dynamics of the fields alone, being essentially unaffected by field fluctuations.
The thermal expectation values of all possible bosonic generalised retarded functions evaluated at zero energy are studied. The relationship of such functions to calculational schemes, technical problems and physical applications is outlined. It is then shown that all generalised retarded functions constructed from any one set of bosonic fields are equal at zero energy. This is done completely generally and is not limited to any approximation scheme such as perturbation theory.
The thermalisation rate for long wavelength fluctuations of the gauge field in the abelian Higgs model is calculated from the imaginary part of the self energy. The calculation is performed for both the symmetric and symmetry broken phase of the theory.
We shall show that the density of defects produced at a second-order phase transition is determined by the correlation length of the fields. This is true both for defects appearing in the Ginzburg regime and for defects produced at a quench, when the Ginzburg regime is irrelevant. (Invited lectures given by R.J.R. to the Nato Advanced Study Institute and Euroconference on Formation and Interaction of Topological Defects, Isaac Newton Institute, Cambridge (UK), September, 1994.)
We argue that the asymptotic condition should not be applied in the derivation of the real time formalism of thermal field theory. It is shown that, contrary to popular belief, the generating functional of time ordered Green functions does not factorise. When no asymptotic condition is applied to the real time formalism, we find that the normal two component Feynman rules arises naturally. In addition, the extra Feynman rule that is applied when calculating vacuum diagrams is simply derived. We also clear up any doubts regarding the equivalence of the real and imaginary time formalisms. Finally, we consider these results in the case of the new real time contour.
We derive Feynman rules for gauge theories exhibiting spontaneous symmetry breaking using the real-time formalism of finite temperature field theory. We also derive the thermal propagators where only the physical degrees of freedom are given thermal boundary conditions. We analyse the abelian Higgs model and find that these new propagators simplify the calculation of the thermal contribution to the self energy.
A new time contour is used to derive real-time thermal field theory. Unlike previous path integral approaches, no contributions to the generating functional are dropped.
The zero four-momentum and equal mass limits are taken for the bubble diagram of scalar fields. It is seen that RTF and ITF are in complete agreement. However contributions from this diagram to both retarded and time-ordered functions do depend on the order of the limits and can be infinite in some cases. This shows explicitly that the relation between the free energy and a derivative expansion of a thermal effective action is generally much more complicated that is the case at zero temperature.
A new time contour is used to derive real-time thermal field theory. Unlike previous path integral approaches, no contributions to the generating functional are dropped.
The properties of the various types of bosonic Green functions at finite temperature in the zero energy limit are considered in the light of recent work.