Effective field theories (EFTs) are a powerful framework for performing high-precision calculations at reduced complexity compared to their fundamental counterparts. A particularly important class of EFTs arises in the non-relativistic (NR) regime. Their construction relies on a different realization of the underlying symmetries, since Lorentz invariance is no longer manifest in covariant form in the NR regime. This behavior imposes a link between certain matching coefficients, and therefore additional constraints, commonly referred to as hidden Lorentz invariance. These constraints are established in quantum field theories on inertial flat spacetime, such as NR quantum electrodynamics. However, deriving these constraints becomes considerably more involved for theories involving physics beyond the Standard Model or formulated in non-inertial spacetime backgrounds, where the hidden symmetry structure is less transparent. In this work, we present an approach to obtain the NR EFT by first constructing a relativistic EFT and then performing a generalized NR reduction based on an extended Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation. We illustrate this method by a quantum chromo-electrodynamics EFT for inertial flat spacetime, describing both electromagnetic and strong interactions, and show how it reduces to the established Lagrangian of NR quantum chromodynamics and electrodynamics. The hidden Lorentz invariance emerges as a direct consequence of the construction. This approach provides a route to obtain the NR limits of more complex theories, \eg Dirac fields in non-inertial spacetime or extensions involving physics beyond the Standard Model. As an example, we apply the method to add the coupling of a pseudoscalar axion field in a simplified model and derive its NR limit.
Up to this point, our study of quantum mechanics has concerned itself with the behaviour of particles that inhabit a Galilean spacetime. For many purposes, in atomic, molecular and condensed matter physics, this theory is quite adequate. We saw in earlier chapters, however, that our actual spacetime has a structure which is much closer to that of the Minkowski spacetime of special relativity and that more general structures must be considered when gravitational phenomena are signicant. From a purely theoretical point of view, it is therefore important to formulate quantum theory in a way which is consistent with these more general spacetimes. The benets of constructing a relativistic quantum theory actually go far beyond the aesthetic satisfaction of making our geometrical and quantum-mechanical reasoning compatible. For one thing, we shall discover that the relativistic theory provides a deeper understanding of spin and the distinction between fermions and bosons, which in the non-relativistic theory appear simply as facts of life that we must strive to accommodate. Also, of course, there are many situations in which relativistic eects become observable, for which non-relativistic theory provides no explanation. The most obvious are high-energy scattering experiments, in which particles acquire kinetic energies comparable with or greater than their rest energies mc2, and the correct 4-momentum (3.33) must be used. There are, however, more subtle eects, such as the spin-orbit coupling that is essential for interpreting atomic spectra, which are also of relativistic origin.
Up to this point, our study of quantum mechanics has concerned itself with the behaviour of particles that inhabit a Galilean spacetime. For many purposes, in atomic, molecular and condensed matter physics, this theory is quite adequate. We saw in earlier chapters, however, that our actual spacetime has a structure which is much closer to that of the Minkowski spacetime of special relativity and that more general structures must be considered when gravitational phenomena are significant. From a purely theoretical point of view, it is therefore important to formulate quantum theory in a way which is consistent with these more general spacetimes. The benefits of constructing a relativistic quantum theory actually go far beyond the aesthetic satisfaction of making our geometrical and quantummechanical reasoning compatible. For one thing, we shall discover that the relativistic theory provides a deeper understanding of spin and the distinction between fermions and bosons, which in the non-relativistic theory appear simply as facts of life that we must strive to accommodate. Also, of course, there are many situations in which relativistic effects become observable, for which nonrelativistic theory provides no explanation. The most obvious are high-energy scattering experiments, in which particles acquire kinetic energies comparable with or greater than their rest energies mc2, and the correct 4-momentum (3.34) must be used. There are, however, more subtle effects, such as the spin-orbit coupling that is essential for interpreting atomic spectra, which are also of relativistic origin.