The large-n limit of quantum field theories^

The large- $N$ quantum field theories provide a window into the regime of strongly-coupled physics. Our principal object of study in this thesis is the large- $N$ family of melonic QFTs, which contain the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev-like models, tensor models, and vector models. We begin with a review of this limit of a large number of degrees of freedom (large- $N$ ) as an approach to the solution of QFTs. Two toy models are used to clarify this approach: a zero-dimensional field theory and the flow of a generalized free field theory. Both models are solvable, and so we can explicitly demonstrate: using the former, the simplifications at large $N$ ; using the latter, the tools used to study scale-dependence of physics -- the renormalization group. We develop $\tilde{F}$ -extremization, a simple method of solution for an arbitrary large- $N$ melonic QFT in its strongly-coupled limit. The infrared conformal field theories show remarkable simplicity, in that they are entirely solved by the requirement that they have as many degrees of freedom as possible, up to a simple constraint arising from the interaction between the fields. We measure the number of degrees of freedom of the conformal infrared theory via $\tilde{F}$ , the universal part of the free energy. We then present the example of the quartic Yukawa model in continuous dimension. This model is considered as a tensor field theory, and solved for its conformal limit; we then illustrate its multiplicity of fixed points and their stability, as well as its operator spectrum, matching the data between the large- $N$ and dimensional expansions. These features reflect general characteristics of melonic conformal field theories: their existence, stability, and spectral characteristics. We conclude with future directions of exploration for the melonic theories.The large-$N$ quantum field theories provide a window into the regime of strongly-coupled physics. Our principal object of study in this thesis is the large-$N$ family of melonic QFTs, which contain the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev-like models, tensor models, and vector models. We begin with a review of this limit of a large number of degrees of freedom (large-$N$) as an approach to the solution of QFTs. Two toy models are used to clarify this approach: a zero-dimensional field theory and the flow of a generalized free field theory. Both models are solvable, and so we can explicitly demonstrate: using the former, the simplifications at large $N$; using the latter, the tools used to study scale-dependence of physics -- the renormalization group. We develop $\tilde{F}$-extremization, a simple method of solution for an arbitrary large-$N$ melonic QFT in its strongly-coupled limit. The infrared conformal field theories show remarkable simplicity, in that they are entirely solved by the requirement that they have as many degrees of freedom as possible, up to a simple constraint arising from the interaction between the fields. We measure the number of degrees of freedom of the conformal infrared theory via $\tilde{F}$, the universal part of the free energy. We then present the example of the quartic Yukawa model in continuous dimension. This model is considered as a tensor field theory, and solved for its conformal limit; we then illustrate its multiplicity of fixed points and their stability, as well as its operator spectrum, matching the data between the large-$N$ and dimensional expansions. These features reflect general characteristics of melonic conformal field theories: their existence, stability, and spectral characteristics. We conclude with future directions of exploration for the melonic theories.

arXiv:2603.04481Mar 4, 20260 citations

Classical Limit(s) of Quantum Field Theories

Charis Anastopoulos

International Journal of Theoretical PhysicsNov 1, 19990 citations

Toward a finite-dimensional formulation of quantum field theory

Miguel Navarro

Foundations of Physics LettersJan 1, 19985 citations

Quantum Simulating Continuum Field Theories with Large-Spin Lattice Models

Gabriele Calliari, Marco Fedele Di Liberto, Hannes Pichler +1 more

Simulating the real-time dynamics of quantum field theories (QFTs) is one of the most promising applications of quantum simulators. Regularizing a bosonic QFT for quantum simulation purposes typically involves a truncation in Hilbert space in addition to a discretization of space. Here, we discuss how to perform such a regularization of scalar QFTs by explicitly constructing suitable many-body lattice Hamiltonians using multilevel or qudit systems and show that this enables quantitative predictions in the continuum limit by extrapolating results obtained for large-spin models. With extensive matrix-product-state simulations, we numerically demonstrate the sequence of extrapolations that leads to quantitative agreement of observables for the integrable sine-Gordon (sG) QFT. We further show how to prepare static and moving-soliton excitations and we analyze their scattering dynamics in the continuum limit, in agreement with a semiclassical model and with quantitative analytical predictions. Finally, we illustrate how a nonintegrable perturbation of the sG model gives rise to dynamics reminiscent of string breaking and plasma oscillations in gauge theories. Our methods are directly applicable in state-of-the-art analog quantum simulators, opening the door to quantitatively investigating a wide variety of scalar-field theories and tackling long-standing questions in nonequilibrium QFT such as the fate of the false vacuum.Simulating the real-time dynamics of quantum field theories (QFTs) is one of the most promising applications of quantum simulators. Regularizing a bosonic QFT for quantum simulation purposes typically involves a truncation in Hilbert space in addition to a discretization of space. Here, we discuss how to perform such a regularization of scalar QFTs by explicitly constructing suitable many-body lattice Hamiltonians using multilevel or qudit systems and show that this enables quantitative predictions in the continuum limit by extrapolating results obtained for large-spin models. With extensive matrix-product-state simulations, we numerically demonstrate the sequence of extrapolations that leads to quantitative agreement of observables for the integrable sine-Gordon (sG) QFT. We further show how to prepare static and moving-soliton excitations and we analyze their scattering dynamics in the continuum limit, in agreement with a semiclassical model and with quantitative analytical predictions. Finally, we illustrate how a nonintegrable perturbation of the sG model gives rise to dynamics reminiscent of string breaking and plasma oscillations in gauge theories. Our methods are directly applicable in state-of-the-art analog quantum simulators, opening the door to quantitatively investigating a wide variety of scalar-field theories and tackling long-standing questions in nonequilibrium QFT such as the fate of the false vacuum.

arXiv:2412.15325PRX QuantumJun 10, 20255 citations

Nonequilibrium quantum fields and the classical field theory limit

Jürgen Berges

arXiv:hep-ph/0201204Nuclear Physics AMay 1, 20027 citations

Quantum simulation of quantum field theory in the light-front formulation

Michael Kreshchuk, William M. Kirby, Gary R. Goldstein +2 more

Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) describes the structure of hadrons such as the proton at a fundamental level. The precision of calculations in QCD limits the precision of the values of many physical parameters extracted from collider data. For example, uncertainty in the parton distribution function is the dominant source of error in the $W$ mass measurement at the Large Hadron Collider. Improving the precision of such measurements is essential in the search for new physics. Quantum simulation offers an efficient way of studying quantum field theories (QFTs) such as QCD nonperturbatively. Previous quantum algorithms for simulating QFTs have qubit requirements that are well beyond the most ambitious experimental proposals for large-scale quantum computers. Can the qubit requirements for such algorithms be brought into range of quantum computation with several thousand logical qubits? We show how this can be achieved by using the light-front formulation of quantum field theory. This work was inspired by the similarity of the light-front formulation to quantum chemistry, first noted by Wilson [Nucl. Phys. B, Proc. Suppl. 17, 82 (1990)].Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) describes the structure of hadrons such as the proton at a fundamental level. The precision of calculations in QCD limits the precision of the values of many physical parameters extracted from collider data. For example, uncertainty in the parton distribution function is the dominant source of error in the $W$ mass measurement at the Large Hadron Collider. Improving the precision of such measurements is essential in the search for new physics. Quantum simulation offers an efficient way of studying quantum field theories (QFTs) such as QCD nonperturbatively. Previous quantum algorithms for simulating QFTs have qubit requirements that are well beyond the most ambitious experimental proposals for large-scale quantum computers. Can the qubit requirements for such algorithms be brought into range of quantum computation with several thousand logical qubits? We show how this can be achieved by using the light-front formulation of quantum field theory. This work was inspired by the similarity of the light-front formulation to quantum chemistry, first noted by Wilson [Nucl. Phys. B, Proc. Suppl. 17, 82 (1990)].

arXiv:2002.04016Physical Review AMar 8, 202298 citations

The large-

N

quantum field theories provide a window into the regime of strongly-coupled physics. Our principal object of study in this thesis is the large-

N

family of melonic QFTs, which contain the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev-like models, tensor models, and vector models. We begin with a review of this limit of a large number of degrees of freedom (large-

N

) as an approach to the solution of QFTs. Two toy models are used to clarify this approach: a zero-dimensional field theory and the flow of a generalized free field theory. Both models are solvable, and so we can explicitly demonstrate: using the former, the simplifications at large

N

; using the latter, the tools used to study scale-dependence of physics -- the renormalization group. We develop

\tilde{F}

-extremization, a simple method of solution for an arbitrary large-

N

melonic QFT in its strongly-coupled limit. The infrared conformal field theories show remarkable simplicity, in that they are entirely solved by the requirement that they have as many degrees of freedom as possible, up to a simple constraint arising from the interaction between the fields. We measure the number of degrees of freedom of the conformal infrared theory via

\tilde{F}

, the universal part of the free energy. We then present the example of the quartic Yukawa model in continuous dimension. This model is considered as a tensor field theory, and solved for its conformal limit; we then illustrate its multiplicity of fixed points and their stability, as well as its operator spectrum, matching the data between the large-

N

and dimensional expansions. These features reflect general characteristics of melonic conformal field theories: their existence, stability, and spectral characteristics. We conclude with future directions of exploration for the melonic theories.

W

mass measurement at the Large Hadron Collider. Improving the precision of such measurements is essential in the search for new physics. Quantum simulation offers an efficient way of studying quantum field theories (QFTs) such as QCD nonperturbatively. Previous quantum algorithms for simulating QFTs have qubit requirements that are well beyond the most ambitious experimental proposals for large-scale quantum computers. Can the qubit requirements for such algorithms be brought into range of quantum computation with several thousand logical qubits? We show how this can be achieved by using the light-front formulation of quantum field theory. This work was inspired by the similarity of the light-front formulation to quantum chemistry, first noted by Wilson [Nucl. Phys. B, Proc. Suppl. 17, 82 (1990)].