The wedge form of relativistic dynamics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new perspective on relativistic collision dynamics, emphasizing the confinement of quantum interactions within the light wedge, and explores implications for quantum field theory and particle propagators.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of the light wedge as a boundary condition in quantum field theory for high-energy collisions, linking classical Lorentz contraction to quantum dynamics.

Findings

Derived one-particle states and propagators for scalar and fermion fields.

Connected inclusive processes with the temporal order of dynamical evolution.

Suggested boundary conditions for quantum field theory based on light wedge confinement.

Abstract

It is commonly accepted that in hadronic or nuclear collisions at extremely high energies the shortest scales are explored. At the classical level, this property of the interaction is closely related to the Lorentz contraction of the fields of colliding particles which provides instantaneous switching the interaction on. I argue that the underlying quantum dynamics should be confined to within the light wedge of the two-dimensional plane where the first interaction takes place and suggest to include this property as the boundary condition for the quantum field theory which describes the collision process. Connection between the type of inclusive process and the temporal order of its dynamical evolution is discussed. The one-particle states and propagators of the perturbation theory for the scalar and fermion fields are found.