A study of gauge-invariant non-local interactions

May 20, 1954
14 pages
Published in:
  • Proc.Roy.Soc.Lond.A 223 (1954) 1155, 468-481,
  • World Sci.Ser.20th Cent.Phys. 19 (1997) 397-410
  • Published: May 20, 1954

Citations per year

195519731991200920250123456
Abstract:
The paper investigates the possibility of introducing 'non-local' interactions, i.e. interactions represented by four-dimensional integral operations, in order to eliminate divergences in the quantum theory of interacting fields. In particular, a type of equation is discussed which preserves all the required invariance properties, including gauge invariance and macroscopic causality. It turns out that equations of this type still give divergent results. The origin of these divergences is discussed, and it is shown that if there is any way of formulating a finite theory it would have to be very different from the one investigated here.
Note:
  • Reprinted in: R.H. Dalitz, Sir Rudolf Peierls (Eds.): Selected Scientific Papers of Sir Rudolf Peierls with Commentary. World Scientific Series in 20th Century Physics, Vol. 19. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore, 1997, pp. 397-410 (ISNB-10: 981-02-2692-6, 981-02-2693-4 pbk, ISBN-13: 978-981-02-2692-3, 978-981-02-2693-0 pbk)