The Effective Action for Local Composite Operators $\Phi^2(x)$ and $\Phi^4(x)$

TL;DR

This paper develops a systematic $ ext{ extit{hbar}}$-expansion for the effective action of local composite operators in scalar $ ext{ extit{lambda}} ext{ extit{Phi}}^4$ theory, providing accurate approximations for excitation energies and propagators.

Contribution

It introduces a new $ ext{ extit{hbar}}$-series approach for the effective action of composite operators, improving ground state and excitation energy calculations in scalar field theory.

Findings

Quick convergence to exact excitation energies.

Better results than non-operator-inclusive methods.

Effective potential and propagators derived as $ ext{ extit{hbar}}$-series.

Abstract

The generating functionals for the local composite operators, $\Phi^2(x)$ and $\Phi^4(x)$, are used to study excitations in the scalar quantum field theory with $\lambda \Phi^4$ interaction. The effective action for the composite operators is obtained as a series in the Planck constant $\hbar$, and the two- and four-particle propagators are derived. The numerical results are studied in the space-time of one dimension, when the theory is equivalent to the quantum mechanics of an anharmonic oscillator. The effective potential and the poles of the composite propagators are obtained as series in $\hbar$, with effective mass and coupling determined by non-perturbative gap equations. This provides a systematic approximation method for the ground state energy, and for the second and fourth excitations. The results show quick convergence to the exact values, better than that obtained without including the operator $\Phi^4$.