Are Vacuum Fluctuations and QM Connected in Feynman Diagrams?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between vacuum fluctuations, quantum tunneling, and Feynman diagrams within the context of quantum field theory (QFT). Participants explore whether internal lines in Feynman diagrams relate to concepts such as negative kinetic energy in quantum tunneling and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP) in quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the connection between internal lines in Feynman diagrams and quantum tunneling, suggesting a potential link to negative kinetic energy and the HUP.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the mainstream acceptance of quantum tunneling in this context.
  • A participant references a paper by Jaffe that discusses vacuum bubble diagrams as an "effective limit" of standard diagrams, questioning the relevance of vacuum bubbles in general.
  • Further clarification is provided that the inquiry extends beyond vacuum bubble diagrams to virtual particles in general, with a claim that vacuum bubbles may cancel when calculating correlation functions.
  • Links to specific papers are shared among participants, indicating a search for relevant literature on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the relationship between vacuum fluctuations and quantum tunneling, with multiple competing views and uncertainties expressed throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific papers and concepts but do not resolve the implications of vacuum bubbles or their relevance in broader contexts. The discussion includes assumptions about the applicability of certain diagrams and their interpretations.

TrickyDicky
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How are internal lines with no free ends of Feynman diagrams of the perturbative expansion of QFT related to the quantum tunnelling barrier's negative kinetic energy and the HUP of QM? (if they are related at all)
 
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Not a clue anyone?
Maybe quantum tunnelling is considered not mainstream?
 
Good question.

I have to look for a paper from Jaffe which explains that vacuum bubble diagrams (w/o external lines) for the Casimir effect are an "effective limit" of standard 1st order diagrams with external lines for van-der-Waals forces. If this reasoning could be used in general than vacuum bubbles might be irrelevant.
 
tom.stoer said:
Good question.

I have to look for a paper from Jaffe which explains that vacuum bubble diagrams (w/o external lines) for the Casimir effect are an "effective limit" of standard 1st order diagrams with external lines for van-der-Waals forces. If this reasoning could be used in general than vacuum bubbles might be irrelevant.

In fact my question wasn't restricted to vacuum bubbles diagrams, I was referring to virtual particles in general.
Vacuum bubbles are irrelevant (cancel) when calculating correlation functions.
 
tom.stoer said:
Good question.

I have to look for a paper from Jaffe which explains that vacuum bubble diagrams (w/o external lines) for the Casimir effect are an "effective limit" of standard 1st order diagrams with external lines for van-der-Waals forces. If this reasoning could be used in general than vacuum bubbles might be irrelevant.

You mean http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0503158" ?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
sheaf said:
You mean http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0503158" ?
exactly, thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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