Quantum Kinetic Theory for Quantum Electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum kinetic theory for QED using Kadanoff-Baym equations, extending classical kinetic theory to include quantum corrections, spin polarization, and screening effects.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum kinetic framework for QED that incorporates quantum corrections, spin polarization, and screening effects, expanding on classical kinetic theory.

Findings

Derivation of a quantum kinetic theory for QED from Kadanoff-Baym equations.

Identification of quantum corrections leading to spin polarization.

Inclusion of screening effects and inelastic collisions in the kinetic framework.

Abstract

We derive a quantum kinetic theory for QED based on Kadanoff-Baym equations for Wigner functions. By assuming parity invariance and considering a complete set of self-energy diagrams, we find the resulting kinetic theory expanded to lowest order in $\hbar$ generalizes the well-known classical kinetic theory to massive case. It contains elastic and inelastic collision terms and integrates screening effect naturally. For a given solution to the classical kinetic theory, we find at next order in $\hbar$ a non-dynamical quantum correction to Wigner functions for both fermions and photons, which gives rise to spin polarization for fermion and photon respectively. The approach allows us to study the non-dynamical part of collisional effect on spin polarization phenomenon.