Towards a finite conformal QED

TL;DR

This paper revisits a 1986 proposed conformal QED model claiming divergence-free and nontrivial properties, aiming to clarify its unitarity and nontriviality through independent investigation and updated calculations.

Contribution

It presents the original 1986 conformal QED model with new insights and encourages further analysis to resolve longstanding debates.

Findings

Initial model claimed divergence-free and nontrivial

One-loop calculations provided in original work

Recent interest suggests merit in revisiting the model

Abstract

In 1986, while at UCLA working with C. Fronsdal and M. Flato, I proposed a model for conformal QED that I claimed to be divergence-free and nontrivial. The results for one loop calculation were given. However, a debate about unitarity and nontriviality of the model caused the withholding of publication of that work. Now and more than 30 years, students and colleagues suggested that with recent results there is a merit to the publication of the original study so that the problem could be revisited, independently investigated and the calculations be repeated. Consequently, I present here the work exactly as it appeared then in a UCLA preprint of the Theoretical Elementary Particle physics group with preprint number UCLA/86/TEP/31.