Finite Quantum Fluctuations About Static Field Configurations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a clear, practical method for calculating one-loop quantum corrections to static field configurations in renormalizable theories, demonstrating its effectiveness through a simplified scalar model.

Contribution

It presents a novel, unambiguous approach to compute quantum corrections, extending standard renormalization techniques to static field configurations.

Findings

Method successfully applied to a scalar model

Results align with derivative expansion approximations

Provides a practical tool for quantum correction calculations

Abstract

We develop an unambiguous and practical method to calculate one-loop quantum corrections to the energies of classical time-independent field configurations in renormalizable field theories. We show that the standard perturbative renormalization procedure suffices here as well. We apply our method to a simplified model where a charged scalar couples to a neutral "Higgs" field, and compare our results to the derivative expansion.