Continuum approach to real time dynamics of 1+1D gauge field theory: out of horizon correlations of the Schwinger model

TL;DR

This paper introduces a continuum Hamiltonian method to study real-time dynamics in the 1+1D Schwinger model, revealing horizon violation effects and long-range correlations post-quench, mediated by meson pairs, advancing understanding of nonequilibrium gauge theories.

Contribution

It develops a novel continuum approach for non-equilibrium dynamics in gauge theories and demonstrates horizon violation phenomena in the Schwinger model, previously observed only in sine-Gordon models.

Findings

Out-of-horizon correlations oscillate with frequencies related to meson masses.

Horizon violation effect observed in gauge field theory.

Cluster violation also reported in the massive Schwinger model.

Abstract

We develop a truncated Hamiltonian method to study nonequilibrium real time dynamics in the Schwinger model - the quantum electrodynamics in D=1+1. This is a purely continuum method that captures reliably the invariance under local and global gauge transformations and does not require a discretisation of space-time. We use it to study a phenomenon that is expected not to be tractable using lattice methods: we show that the 1+1D quantum electrodynamics admits the dynamical horizon violation effect which was recently discovered in the case of the sine-Gordon model. Following a quench of the model, oscillatory long-range correlations develop, manifestly violating the horizon bound. We find that the oscillation frequencies of the out-of-horizon correlations correspond to twice the masses of the mesons of the model suggesting that the effect is mediated through correlated meson pairs. We also report on the cluster violation in the massive version of the model, previously known in the massless Schwinger model. The results presented here reveal a novel nonequilibrium phenomenon in 1+1D quantum electrodynamics and make a first step towards establishing that the horizon violation effect is present in gauge field theory.