Large transient states in quantum field theory

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum field theory describing large composite particle collisions transitions to classical statistical mechanics, supporting the idea that classical behavior emerges from quantum systems in the large quantum number limit.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the evolution of large quantum systems in high-energy collisions can be approximated by classical master equations, linking quantum dynamics to classical statistical mechanics.

Findings

Quantum evolution equations reduce to classical master equations for large systems

Supports the Correspondence Principle in the context of heavy ion collisions

Provides a framework for understanding quark-gluon formation in classical terms

Abstract

A study is made of the scattering of two large composite projectiles, such as heavy ions, which are initially prepared in a pure quantum state. It is shown that the quantum field theoretic evolution equation for this system, under certain conditions, goes over in form to the master equation of classical statistical mechanics. Thus, the statistical mechanical description of heavy ion collision is viewed as an implied outcome of the Correspondence Principle, which states that in the limit of large quantum number, quantum dynamics goes over to classical dynamics. This hypothesis is explored within the master equation transcription with particular focus on the quark-gluon formation scenario.