Strongly Coupled Quantum Forces

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new non-perturbative method to compute quantum forces by directly solving the mediator field's equations of motion, applicable beyond weak coupling regimes and capable of revealing non-perturbative effects.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel framework for calculating quantum forces that does not rely on perturbative scattering amplitudes, extending applicability to strong coupling regimes.

Findings

Reproduces known weak-coupling results

Shows modifications in strong-coupling regimes

Highlights violation of superposition principle in quantum forces

Abstract

Quantum forces are long-range interactions originating from vacuum fluctuations of mediator fields. Such forces inevitably arise between ordinary matter particles whenever they couple to light mediator species. Conventional computations of quantum forces rely on evaluating one-loop Feynman diagrams of the relevant scattering processes. In this work, we introduce a novel framework to compute quantum forces. Instead of relying on perturbative scattering amplitudes, we directly evaluate the quantum fluctuations of the mediator field by solving its quantized equation of motion with appropriate boundary conditions. This approach remains valid beyond the Born approximation and thus applies to regimes of strong coupling between the mediator and matter fields. In the weak-coupling limit, our results reproduce the known expressions from the Feynman diagram approach. In the strong-coupling regime, the result is modified by a factor that can suppress or enhance the effect. In contrast to classical forces, quantum forces intrinsically violate the superposition principle. Our approach may therefore offer a useful tool for probing non-perturbative effects in the infrared regime.