Are all divergences in quantum field theory logarithmic?

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In summary, Zee's QFT book discusses the amplitude M(p), which can be expressed as a sum of a constant term and a function Gamma. When making a measurement, the value of M(mu) can be substituted into M(p) to get an independent result. However, this only holds true if Gamma is logarithmically divergent in a ratio of Lambda squared over p squared. Generally, the RG equation states that M(p) must also be equal to M(R)+Gamma(mu,p), which implies a logarithmic dependence on Gamma. However, there can also be divergences that are not logarithmic, such as when the coupling has a mass dimension of zero, which can still be renormalizable. Other couplings with
  • #1
geoduck
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In Zee's QFT book he writes an amplitude as:

[tex]M(p)=\lambda_0+\Gamma(\Lambda,p,\lambda_0) [/tex]

He then states that you make a measurement:

[tex]M(\mu)=\lambda_0+\Gamma(\Lambda,\mu,\lambda_0) \equiv \lambda_R [/tex]

and substitute that into M(p) to get:

[tex]M(p)=\lambda_R+\left[\Gamma(\Lambda,p,\lambda_0)-\Gamma(\Lambda,\mu,\lambda_0) \right][/tex]
which is independent of [itex]\Lambda[/itex]. But isn't this only true if [itex]\Gamma[/itex] is logarithmically divergent in a ratio [itex]\Lambda^2/p^2[/itex]? What if this is not the case?

But generally speaking, doesn't the RG equation say that if:

[tex]M(p)=\lambda_0+\Gamma(\Lambda,p,\lambda_0) [/tex]

then it must be true that:

[tex]M(p)=\lambda_R+\Gamma(\mu,p,\lambda_0) [/tex]

Doesn't this force a log dependence, because:

[tex]M(p)=\lambda_R+\Gamma(\mu,p,\lambda_0)=
\lambda_R+\left[\Gamma(\Lambda,p,\lambda_0)-\Gamma(\Lambda,\mu,\lambda_0) \right] [/tex]

which gives an equation involving [itex]\Gamma[/itex], and doesn't that equation force a log dependence of [itex]\Gamma[/itex]?

But surely you can have divergences that aren't log!
 
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Logarithmic divergence arises when the coupling has mass dimension zero.All other coupling having mass dimension positive are known to be renormalizable. we can prove that zero mass dimension theory(like [itex]\phi^4[/itex],quantum electrodynamics) is renormalizable however it is not very easy to tell if the theory is renormalizable or not if it's mass dimension is zero.If the dimension is negative, then it is nonrenormalizable.So in order to have a renormalizable theory you should have at least the logarithmic divergence.If the theory is linearly or quadratically divergent,mass dimension goes as -1,-2,they are nonrenormalizable.
 

1. What is a logarithmic divergence in the context of RG?

A logarithmic divergence is a type of singularity that occurs in renormalization group (RG) theory. It refers to a situation where a physical quantity, such as a coupling constant or energy scale, becomes infinite as the RG scale is taken to its limiting value. This type of divergence is often encountered in systems with long-range interactions or in systems with a critical point.

2. How do logarithmic divergences affect our understanding of physical systems?

Logarithmic divergences can have a significant impact on our understanding of physical systems as they can lead to unexpected behavior and make it difficult to accurately predict and describe the behavior of a system. They are particularly relevant in the study of critical phenomena and phase transitions, where they can cause the behavior of a system to change dramatically.

3. Can logarithmic divergences be avoided or eliminated?

In most cases, logarithmic divergences cannot be completely eliminated. However, they can often be resummed or incorporated into the renormalization procedure in order to obtain meaningful and finite results. This is an ongoing area of research and different approaches have been developed for dealing with logarithmic divergences in different systems.

4. How do logarithmic divergences relate to other types of divergences?

Logarithmic divergences are often seen in conjunction with other types of divergences, such as power-law or polynomial divergences. In fact, logarithmic divergences can often be seen as the leading contribution to a more general type of divergence. They can also be related to other types of divergences through renormalization group transformations, which can map one type of divergence to another.

5. Are logarithmic divergences always a problem in RG theory?

No, logarithmic divergences are not always a problem in RG theory. In some cases, they can be used to our advantage, such as in the study of critical phenomena. Additionally, in certain systems, logarithmic divergences can be eliminated through symmetry arguments or by choosing appropriate renormalization schemes. However, in many cases, logarithmic divergences do pose a challenge and require careful consideration in order to obtain meaningful results.

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