Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Unitary and nonunitary approaches in quantum field theory

Kara D. Lamb, Christopher C. Gerry, Qichang C. Su, R. Grobe

Published Jan 31, 2007• 18 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We use a simplified essential state model to compare two quantum field theoretical approaches to study the creation of electron-positron pairs from the vacuum. In the unitary approach the system is characterized by a state with different numbers of particles that is described by occupation numbers and evolves with conserved norm. The nonunitary approach can predict the evolution of wave functions and density operators with a fixed number of particles but time-dependent norms. As an example to illustrate the differences between both approaches, we examine the degree of entanglement for the Klein paradox, which describes the creation of an electron-positron pair from vacuum in the presence of an initial electron. We demonstrate how the Pauli blocking by the initial electron comes at the expense of a gain in entanglement of this electron with the created electron as well as with the created positron.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.75.013425

Related papers

Introductory review on quantum field theory with space–time resolution

T. Cheng, Qichang C. Su, R. Grobe

We review the steps needed to reduce quantum field theory to quantum mechanics as its limiting case. While processes involving a changing number of particles require a quantum field theoretical description, some works used quantum mechanical data based on the single particle Dirac equation to predict the outcome. These non-quantum field theoretical approaches have led to conceptual controversies that are often related to the negative energy states, which are characteristic of the Dirac equation. As a result, the issues about the physical reality of the relativistic localisation phenomenon, the Zitterbewegung and the Klein paradox are widely discussed in many textbooks. In order to contribute to this discussion, we review recent computer simulations of oversimplified model systems based on quantum field theory. The direct visualisation of intrinsically quantum field theoretical process with full spatial and temporal resolutions can provide us with some first insight into the spontaneous electron–positron pair creation from the vacuum triggered by a strong external (supercritical) force field and with the resolution of the Klein paradox.

Contemporary Physics•Jan 7, 2010•78 citations

Space-time resolved quantum field theory

Piotr Krekora, Qichang C. Su, R. Grobe

Using space-time resolved solutions in relativistic quantum field theory we analyze the electron-positron pair creation process from vacuum and resolve the Klein-paradox. We show that there are in principle no limitations to the localization length of an electron and demonstrate that its spatial probability density can be much narrower than the Compton wavelength. We also argue that quantum field theory prohibits the occurrence of Zitterbewegung for an electron in contrast to claims found in textbooks.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2004•0 citations

Quantum entanglement and entropy in particle creation

Shih-Yuin Lin, Chung-Hsien Chou, B. L. Hu

We investigate the basic theoretical issues in the quantum entanglement of particle pairs created from the vacuum in a time-dependent background field or spacetime. Similar to entropy generation from these processes which depends on the choice of physical variables and how certain information is coarse grained, entanglement dynamics hinges on the choice of measurable quantities and how the two parties are selected as well as the background dynamics of the field or spacetime. We discuss the conditions of separability of quantum states in particle creation processes and point out the differences in how the von Neumann entropy is used as a measure of entropy generation versus for entanglement dynamics. We show by an explicit construction that adoption of a different set of physical variables yields a different entanglement entropy. As an application of these theoretical considerations we show how the particle number and the quantum phase enter the entanglement dynamics in cosmological particle production.

arXiv:1001.4922•Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fields•Apr 12, 2010•32 citations

Relativistic Electron Localization and the Lack ofZitterbewegung

Piotr Krekora, Qichang C. Su, R. Grobe

Using space-time resolved solutions to relativistic quantum field theory we analyze the electron-positron pair creation process from vacuum. For early times the entangled electron-positron wave function can be obtained analytically. We show that there are, in principle, no limitations to the localization length of an electron and demonstrate that its spatial probability density can be much narrower than the Compton wavelength. We also find that quantum field theory prohibits the occurrence of Zitterbewegung for an electron.

Physical Review Letters•Jul 23, 2004•100 citations

Quantum Entanglement Dynamics in Electron-Positron Pair Production Under Time-Dependent Electromagnetic Fields

Deepak Sah

Quantum entanglement, a defining feature of quantum theory, is generated dynamically by the Schwinger effect—the production of particle-antiparticle pairs from a strong electric field. In this work, we go beyond traditional particle-number analyses to study the quantum entanglement gen- erated in this process. We partition the system into momentum modes and calculate entanglement entropy and logarithmic negativity as functions of time. For a single Sauter pulse, entanglement exhibits a monotonic growth that closely tracks the pair creation process. Strikingly, a train of alternating pulses induces coherent interference, leading to a cumulative enhancement of entan- glement and revealing a clear interplay between successive creation events. Most significantly, we show that the temporal delay (𝑇) between pulses acts as a tunable parameter, controlling the level of entanglement via constructive or destructive interference. This tunability provides a distinct sig- nature of vacuum memory, establishing pair production as a platform for entanglement-controlled strong-field physics.

QCD at the Extremes (QCDEX)•Nov 20, 2025•0 citations

Entanglement for pair production on the zeptosecond scale

Piotr Krekora, Qichang C. Su, R. Grobe

We analyse the degree of two-particle entanglement between an electron and a positron that are created in vacuum in the presence of a supercritical field. This degree of entanglement is determined from the spatially and temporally resolved two-particle wave function calculated from relativistic quantum field theory. Some spin components of the two particles are fully correlated with respect to a simultaneous measurement. However, the positions where the two particles are created by the field can be apart from each other by as much as the Compton wavelength for an extended supercritical field. We calculate the K parameter from the two-particle wave function as a quantitative measure for the degree of entanglement.

Journal of Modern Optics•Jan 20, 2005•19 citations
We use a simplified essential state model to compare two quantum field theoretical approaches to study the creation of electron-positron pairs from the vacuum. In the unitary approach the system is characterized by a state with different numbers of particles that is described by occupation numbers and evolves with conserved norm. The nonunitary approach can predict the evolution of wave functions and density operators with a fixed number of particles but time-dependent norms. As an example to illustrate the differences between both approaches, we examine the degree of entanglement for the Klein paradox, which describes the creation of an electron-positron pair from vacuum in the presence of an initial electron. We demonstrate how the Pauli blocking by the initial electron comes at the expense of a gain in entanglement of this electron with the created electron as well as with the created positron.
We review the steps needed to reduce quantum field theory to quantum mechanics as its limiting case. While processes involving a changing number of particles require a quantum field theoretical description, some works used quantum mechanical data based on the single particle Dirac equation to predict the outcome. These non-quantum field theoretical approaches have led to conceptual controversies that are often related to the negative energy states, which are characteristic of the Dirac equation. As a result, the issues about the physical reality of the relativistic localisation phenomenon, the Zitterbewegung and the Klein paradox are widely discussed in many textbooks. In order to contribute to this discussion, we review recent computer simulations of oversimplified model systems based on quantum field theory. The direct visualisation of intrinsically quantum field theoretical process with full spatial and temporal resolutions can provide us with some first insight into the spontaneous electron–positron pair creation from the vacuum triggered by a strong external (supercritical) force field and with the resolution of the Klein paradox.
Using space-time resolved solutions in relativistic quantum field theory we analyze the electron-positron pair creation process from vacuum and resolve the Klein-paradox. We show that there are in principle no limitations to the localization length of an electron and demonstrate that its spatial probability density can be much narrower than the Compton wavelength. We also argue that quantum field theory prohibits the occurrence of Zitterbewegung for an electron in contrast to claims found in textbooks.
We investigate the basic theoretical issues in the quantum entanglement of particle pairs created from the vacuum in a time-dependent background field or spacetime. Similar to entropy generation from these processes which depends on the choice of physical variables and how certain information is coarse grained, entanglement dynamics hinges on the choice of measurable quantities and how the two parties are selected as well as the background dynamics of the field or spacetime. We discuss the conditions of separability of quantum states in particle creation processes and point out the differences in how the von Neumann entropy is used as a measure of entropy generation versus for entanglement dynamics. We show by an explicit construction that adoption of a different set of physical variables yields a different entanglement entropy. As an application of these theoretical considerations we show how the particle number and the quantum phase enter the entanglement dynamics in cosmological particle production.
Using space-time resolved solutions to relativistic quantum field theory we analyze the electron-positron pair creation process from vacuum. For early times the entangled electron-positron wave function can be obtained analytically. We show that there are, in principle, no limitations to the localization length of an electron and demonstrate that its spatial probability density can be much narrower than the Compton wavelength. We also find that quantum field theory prohibits the occurrence of Zitterbewegung for an electron.
Quantum entanglement, a defining feature of quantum theory, is generated dynamically by the Schwinger effect—the production of particle-antiparticle pairs from a strong electric field. In this work, we go beyond traditional particle-number analyses to study the quantum entanglement gen- erated in this process. We partition the system into momentum modes and calculate entanglement entropy and logarithmic negativity as functions of time. For a single Sauter pulse, entanglement exhibits a monotonic growth that closely tracks the pair creation process. Strikingly, a train of alternating pulses induces coherent interference, leading to a cumulative enhancement of entan- glement and revealing a clear interplay between successive creation events. Most significantly, we show that the temporal delay (𝑇) between pulses acts as a tunable parameter, controlling the level of entanglement via constructive or destructive interference. This tunability provides a distinct sig- nature of vacuum memory, establishing pair production as a platform for entanglement-controlled strong-field physics.
We analyse the degree of two-particle entanglement between an electron and a positron that are created in vacuum in the presence of a supercritical field. This degree of entanglement is determined from the spatially and temporally resolved two-particle wave function calculated from relativistic quantum field theory. Some spin components of the two particles are fully correlated with respect to a simultaneous measurement. However, the positions where the two particles are created by the field can be apart from each other by as much as the Compton wavelength for an extended supercritical field. We calculate the K parameter from the two-particle wave function as a quantitative measure for the degree of entanglement.