2PI functional techniques for gauge theories: QED

U. Reinosa , J. Serreau (1)

1 APC - THEORIE

We discuss the formulation of the prototype gauge field theory, QED, in the context of two-particle-irreducible (2PI) functional techniques with particular emphasis on the issues of renormalization and gauge symmetry. We show how to renormalize all n-point vertex functions of the (gauge-fixed) theory at any approximation order in the 2PI loop-expansion by properly adjusting a finite set of local counterterms consistent with the underlying gauge symmetry. The paper is divided in three parts: a self-contained presentation of the main results and their possible implementation for practical applications; a detailed analysis of ultraviolet divergences and their removal; a number of appendices collecting technical details.

Domaines: Physique des Hautes Energies - Théorie [hep-th]; Physique des Hautes Energies - Phénoménologie [hep-ph]; Physique Nucléaire Théorique [nucl-th]

U. Reinosa, J. Serreau. 2PI functional techniques for gauge theories: QED. Annals of Physics, 2010, 325, pp.969-1017. ⟨10.1016/J.AOP.2009.11.005⟩. ⟨hal-00730841⟩