Quantum gravitational contributions to the beta function of quantum electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper investigates the origin of the quadratic contribution to the QED beta function, showing it arises from an arbitrary surface term that should vanish in a consistent quantum gravitational treatment.

Contribution

It clarifies the origin of the quadratic term in the QED beta function and argues for its vanishing when quantum gravitational effects are properly considered.

Findings

Quadratic contribution linked to an arbitrary surface term.

Surface term is intrinsically arbitrarily valued.

Proper treatment suggests the surface term vanishes.

Abstract

We show in a diagrammatic and regularization independent analysis that the quadratic contribu- tion to the beta function which has been conjectured to render quantum electrodynamics asymp- totically free near the Planck scale has its origin in a surface term. Such surface term is intrinsically arbitrarily valued and it is argued to vanish in a consistent treatment of the model.