Quantum electrodynamics in finite volume and nonrelativistic effective field theories

TL;DR

This paper discusses the application of nonrelativistic effective field theories to quantum electrodynamics in finite volumes, emphasizing the need for careful treatment of long-range electromagnetic effects in lattice QCD computations.

Contribution

It highlights the importance of cautious application of nonrelativistic effective field theories to finite-volume QED, addressing challenges posed by long-range electromagnetic interactions.

Findings

Finite-size effects in lattice QCD with QED are significant.

Nonrelativistic effective field theories can model these effects.

Careful adaptation is necessary for accurate results.

Abstract

Electromagnetic effects are increasingly being accounted for in lattice quantum chromodynamics computations. Because of their long-range nature, they lead to large finite-size effects over which it is important to gain analytical control. Nonrelativistic effective field theories provide an efficient tool to describe these effects. Here we argue that some care has to be taken when applying these methods to quantum electrodynamics in a finite volume.