Classical limit of a scalar quantum field theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates the classical limit of scalar quantum field theories at large minimal distances using the renormalization group, revealing phase transitions and the dynamics of open quantum systems.

Contribution

It introduces a renormalization group analysis for open quantum field theories, identifying a non-relativistic scaling regime and phase transition behavior.

Findings

A strongly coupled non-relativistic scaling regime is identified.

A second order phase transition between weakly and strongly open theories is found.

Classical limit conditions are confirmed for closed bare theories at large distances.

Abstract

It is well known that a minimal distance emerges in quantum field theories owing to the need to regularize the UV divergences. The macroscopical limit at large minimal distance, weak spatial resolution, is investigated for a self interacting scalar quantum field theory by the help of the renormalization group. The lowering of the cutoff always opens the dynamics hence the renormalization group has to be implemented for open quantum field theories. A strongly coupled non-relativistic scaling regime is found supporting a second order phase transition between weakly and strongly open theories. The weakly (strongly) open bare theories develop into strongly (weakly) open dynamics during the renormalization group flow. The two known conditions of classical limit, the strong decoherence and the suppression of the quantum fluctuations are confirmed for closed bare theories at distances beyond a non-relativistic correlation length.