Mathematical Physics. Path integrals

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around path integrals in mathematical physics, specifically focusing on techniques such as those developed by Fradkin-Gitman and Alexandrou et al. Participants are seeking clarification on these techniques and exploring methods for evaluating path integrals, including potential applications of Gaussian quadrature and functional integration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests help understanding the Fradkin-Gitman techniques and the work of Alexandrou et al., expressing curiosity about the meaning of "et al."
  • Another participant suggests that providing full citations for the papers being referenced would be beneficial and explains the meaning of "et al." as "and others."
  • A different participant inquires about a paper by "De-Witt Morette" on functional integration, questioning whether it introduces an adequate measure for path integrals and proposing the use of infinite-dimensional Monte Carlo methods or Gaussian quadrature for evaluation.
  • This participant elaborates on the Gaussian method for evaluating integrals and poses a question about selecting functions to minimize error in functional integrals.
  • Another participant seeks a formula for calculating Gaussian functional integrals involving Grassmannian variables, specifically those with quadratic and linear terms.
  • This participant also asks about entering new styles in scientific workplace software.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not appear to reach a consensus, with multiple competing views and questions remaining unresolved regarding the techniques and methods for evaluating path integrals.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the adequacy of measures for path integrals and the selection of functions for minimizing errors in functional integrals. There are also unresolved questions about the application of Gaussian quadrature in infinite dimensions.

Who May Find This Useful

Researchers and students interested in mathematical physics, particularly those focusing on path integrals, functional integration, and related mathematical techniques.

samirdz
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Hello all
I need some special help concerning the path integrals and exactely about the techniques of Fradkin-Gitman and also the technique of Alexandrou et al., what's they're exactely about ?. (what does it mean here al. in "Alexandrou et al." ):smile:
Thank you very much for every valuable help of any kind
Bye
 
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First off, I'm gathering you're reading papers, so giving the full citation would be helpful. Where did you get these, and what are they doing?

To answer your easier question, "et al." is short for "et alia" which is Latin for "and others". So there's probably four or five authors on the paper and they didn't want to write them all out.
 
Has anyone read at 'Arxiv.org' the paper by "De-Witt Morette" recalling functional integration ?? i don't know if they at last introduce an acdequate measure for path integrals..also i have asked myself if there would be a possible method to evaluate them by infinite-dimensional MOntecarlo's method (without discretizying space-time) or using an analogue of Gaus quadrature formula with the infinite-dimensional analogue of Legendre Polynomials.

The idea si quite easy..Gaussian method used to evaluate:

\int_{-1}^{1} dx f(x) = \sum_{i} C_{i} f(x_i )

then we used "Gaussian quadrature" to evaluate the function at a certain chosen point so the error was the least possible.

When dealing with Path integrals this all becomes:

\int \mathcal D [f] F[f] =\sum_{i} C_{i} F[f_{i} (x)]

in this case you use a certain functions f1, f2, f3 ,f4,... to evaluate the path integral, the main problem is what functions (in general) do you choose so the error in the functional integral above is minimum ??
 
Last edited:
gaussian functional integrals, Grassmannian

Hello
I need the formula for calculating the gaussian functional integrals with the grassmannian variables (gaussian with quadratic plus linear term).

Also, how to enter new styles in the scientific workplace ..
 

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