The Gaussian Effective Potential. 1. Quantum Mechanics

Feb, 1984
64 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 30 (1984) 1712
Report number:
  • MAD/TH/163

Citations per year

19851995200520152024051015
Abstract: (APS)
We advertise the virtues of the Gaussian effective potential (GEP) as a guide to the behavior of quantum field theories. Much superior to the usual one-loop effective potential, the GEP is a natural extension of intuitive notions familiar from quantum mechanics. A variety of quantum-mechanical examples are studied here, with an eye to field-theoretic analogies. Quantum restoration of symmetry, dynamical mass generation, and "quantum-mechanical resuscitation" are among the phenomena discussed. We suggest how the GEP could become the basis of a systematic approximation procedure. A companion paper will deal with scalar field theory.
  • QUANTUM MECHANICS: POTENTIAL
  • APPROXIMATION: EFFECTIVE POTENTIAL
  • MODEL: OSCILLATOR
  • ENERGY LEVELS
  • QUANTUM MECHANICS: MASS GENERATION
  • MASS GENERATION: QUANTUM MECHANICS
  • NUMERICAL CALCULATIONS
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