The search for the conjectured QCD critical point in heavy-ion collisions requires to account for far-from equilibrium effects as well as fluctuations, and in particular non-Gaussian fluctuations, in the modeling of the dynamics of the hot and dense matter created in such collisions. In order to study far-from equilibrium effects as well as fluctuations, in this work we construct a Schwinger-Keldysh effective field theory (EFT) for the diffusion of the density to all orders in derivatives. The dissipation in the free part of our EFT follows the Boltzmann equation in the relaxation-time approximation (RTA). The interaction part of the EFT is constructed based on the self-interaction of the density field. We analytically find the quadratic and cubic parts of the KMS-invariant EFT in closed form, resummed in derivatives. We then explicitly compute the symmetrized three-point function at tree level, and investigate its analytical structure in detail. We also analytically calculate the branch-point singularity that appears in the structure of the two-point response function due to loop effects. Our results are important for future studies of the real-time dynamics of the correlation functions and the possible relation to thermalization when the system is far from equilibrium.The search for the conjectured QCD critical point in heavy-ion collisions requires to account for far-from equilibrium effects as well as fluctuations, and in particular non-Gaussian fluctuations, in the modeling of the dynamics of the hot and dense matter created in such collisions. In order to study far-from equilibrium effects as well as fluctuations, in this work we construct a Schwinger-Keldysh effective field theory (EFT) for the diffusion of the density to all orders in derivatives. The dissipation in the free part of our EFT follows the Boltzmann equation in the relaxation-time approximation (RTA). The interaction part of the EFT is constructed based on the self-interaction of the density field. We analytically find the quadratic and cubic parts of the KMS-invariant EFT in closed form, resummed in derivatives. We then explicitly compute the symmetrized three-point function at tree level, and investigate its analytical structure in detail. We also analytically calculate the branch-point singularity that appears in the structure of the two-point response function due to loop effects. Our results are important for future studies of the real-time dynamics of the correlation functions and the possible relation to thermalization when the system is far from equilibrium.

arXiv:2410.07929Oct 10, 20241 citation

Quantum fluctuations in hydrodynamics and quantum long-time tails

Akash Jain

We construct a quantum Schwinger-Keldysh (SK) effective field theory for the diffusive hydrodynamics of a conserved scalar field. Quantum corrections within the SK framework are guided by fluctuation-dissipation relations, enforced via a dynamical Kubo-Martin-Schwinger (KMS) symmetry. We find that the KMS symmetry necessarily generates fluctuation contributions in the SK effective action at all orders in the noise field, thereby giving rise to intrinsically non-Gaussian noise. We use our results to compute one-loop quantum corrections to the two-point density-density retarded correlation function, leading to a quantum generalization of hydrodynamic long-time tails. Our results apply at arbitrarily high orders in $\hbar$ . The one-loop results for retarded correlation functions have been expressed in terms of a family of polynomials. We also provide a closed-form expression for the one-loop results at leading order in the wavevector expansion.We construct a quantum Schwinger-Keldysh (SK) effective field theory for the diffusive hydrodynamics of a conserved scalar field. Quantum corrections within the SK framework are guided by fluctuation-dissipation relations, enforced via a dynamical Kubo-Martin-Schwinger (KMS) symmetry. We find that the KMS symmetry necessarily generates fluctuation contributions in the SK effective action at all orders in the noise field, thereby giving rise to intrinsically non-Gaussian noise. We use our results to compute one-loop quantum corrections to the two-point density-density retarded correlation function, leading to a quantum generalization of hydrodynamic long-time tails. Our results apply at arbitrarily high orders in $\hbar$. The one-loop results for retarded correlation functions have been expressed in terms of a family of polynomials. We also provide a closed-form expression for the one-loop results at leading order in the wavevector expansion.

hep-thCross-listedarXiv:2601.22140SciPost PhysicsJan 30, 20260 citations

Three-point functions from a Schwinger-Keldysh effective action, resummed in derivatives

Navid Abbasi, Dirk H. Rischke

A bstract The search for the conjectured QCD critical point in heavy-ion collisions requires to account for far-from equilibrium effects as well as fluctuations, and in particular non-Gaussian fluctuations, in the modeling of the dynamics of the hot and dense matter created in such collisions. In order to study far-from equilibrium effects as well as fluctuations, in this work we construct a Schwinger-Keldysh effective field theory (EFT) for the diffusion of the density to all orders in derivatives. The dissipation in the free part of our EFT follows the Boltzmann equation in the relaxation-time approximation (RTA). The interaction part of the EFT is constructed based on the self-interaction of the density field. We analytically find the quadratic and cubic parts of the KMS-invariant EFT in closed form, resummed in derivatives. We then explicitly compute the symmetrized three-point function at tree level, and investigate its analytical structure in detail. We also analytically calculate the branch-point singularity that appears in the structure of the two-point response function due to loop effects. Our results are important for future studies of the real-time dynamics of the correlation functions and the possible relation to thermalization when the system is far from equilibrium.A bstract The search for the conjectured QCD critical point in heavy-ion collisions requires to account for far-from equilibrium effects as well as fluctuations, and in particular non-Gaussian fluctuations, in the modeling of the dynamics of the hot and dense matter created in such collisions. In order to study far-from equilibrium effects as well as fluctuations, in this work we construct a Schwinger-Keldysh effective field theory (EFT) for the diffusion of the density to all orders in derivatives. The dissipation in the free part of our EFT follows the Boltzmann equation in the relaxation-time approximation (RTA). The interaction part of the EFT is constructed based on the self-interaction of the density field. We analytically find the quadratic and cubic parts of the KMS-invariant EFT in closed form, resummed in derivatives. We then explicitly compute the symmetrized three-point function at tree level, and investigate its analytical structure in detail. We also analytically calculate the branch-point singularity that appears in the structure of the two-point response function due to loop effects. Our results are important for future studies of the real-time dynamics of the correlation functions and the possible relation to thermalization when the system is far from equilibrium.

Journal of High Energy PhysicsMay 28, 20253 citations

Schwinger-Keldysh effective actions for non-hydrodynamic poles and branch cuts

Andrea Amoretti, Matteo Anselmi, Daniel K. Brattan

Retarded thermal correlators, analytically continued to complex frequency, exhibit non-hydrodynamic poles and branch cuts that constrain hydrodynamics. We construct Gaussian Schwinger-Keldysh effective actions in which branch cuts arise from continua of relaxation poles and response functions are governed by Stieltjes transforms of relaxation-time densities. Dynamical KMS symmetry, positivity and stability constrain the spectra, while endpoint behaviour controls the local branch structure and near-edge pole scaling. The illustrative examples of uniform and power-law densities exhibit respectively beyond-all-orders pole-endpoint separation and a continuous interpolation between pole-pole and pole-branch-point termination. Finally, we show that an energy-dependent relaxation-time approximation in kinetic theory provides a microscopic realization of our branch cuts at zero momentum.Retarded thermal correlators, analytically continued to complex frequency, exhibit non-hydrodynamic poles and branch cuts that constrain hydrodynamics. We construct Gaussian Schwinger-Keldysh effective actions in which branch cuts arise from continua of relaxation poles and response functions are governed by Stieltjes transforms of relaxation-time densities. Dynamical KMS symmetry, positivity and stability constrain the spectra, while endpoint behaviour controls the local branch structure and near-edge pole scaling. The illustrative examples of uniform and power-law densities exhibit respectively beyond-all-orders pole-endpoint separation and a continuous interpolation between pole-pole and pole-branch-point termination. Finally, we show that an energy-dependent relaxation-time approximation in kinetic theory provides a microscopic realization of our branch cuts at zero momentum.

arXiv:2609.16164Sep 14, 20260 citations

Initial Stages 2021

Pak Hang Chris Lau

In small colliding systems and near the QCD critical point, the effects due to hydrodynamic fluctuations can be significant. The effective field theory of fluctuating hydrodynamics has recently been formulated on the closed time path (Schwinger-Keldysh formalism) [1]. Such formulation allows for a systematic treatment of non-linear interaction among energy-momentum densities and hydrodynamics noise. We present the first complete leading order analysis of the effects of hydrodynamic fluctuations on stress-energy tensor correlations and show how those fluctuations modify the dispersion of sound and shear modes. We find the contributions of hydrodynamic fluctuations are parametrically more important than those from the second-order terms in hydrodynamics. We discuss the potential implications of our results for heavy-ion collision phenomenology [2]. [1] M. Crossley, P. Glorioso, and H. Liu, Effective field theory of dissipative fluids, JHEP 1709 (2017) 09. [2] P.H.C. Lau, H. Liu and Y. Yin, in preparation.In small colliding systems and near the QCD critical point, the effects due to hydrodynamic fluctuations can be significant. The effective field theory of fluctuating hydrodynamics has recently been formulated on the closed time path (Schwinger-Keldysh formalism) [1]. Such formulation allows for a systematic treatment of non-linear interaction among energy-momentum densities and hydrodynamics noise. We present the first complete leading order analysis of the effects of hydrodynamic fluctuations on stress-energy tensor correlations and show how those fluctuations modify the dispersion of sound and shear modes. We find the contributions of hydrodynamic fluctuations are parametrically more important than those from the second-order terms in hydrodynamics. We discuss the potential implications of our results for heavy-ion collision phenomenology [2]. [1] M. Crossley, P. Glorioso, and H. Liu, Effective field theory of dissipative fluids, JHEP 1709 (2017) 09. [2] P.H.C. Lau, H. Liu and Y. Yin, in preparation.

Jan 1, 20210 citations

Far-from-equilibrium dynamics of ultra-cold Fermi gases

Matthias Kronenwett

In this thesis, far-from-equilibrium dynamics of fermionic quantum gases is discussed utilising functional quantum field theoretical methods. Employing the Schwinger-Keldysh path integral, real-time Schwinger-Dyson/Kadanoff-Baym dynamic equations for the two-point correlation functions are derived from the two-particle irreducible (2PI) effective action. For two specific models, these dynamic equations are investigated further. (a) For an N-fold spin-degenerate ultra-cold Fermi gas, non-perturbative approximation schemes based on either a loop or a 1/N expansion of the 2PI effective action are presented. Adopting these approximations, the long-time evolution of a homogeneous Fermi gas with N=2 after an initial preparation far from thermal equilibrium is thoroughly studied in one spatial dimension. Depending on the total energy, the gas is found to evolve into thermal as well as non-thermal states, the latter becoming manifest in violating the fluctuation-dissipation relation. (b) A similar 1/N expansion is derived for the SU(N) symmetric Kondo lattice model. At leading order, the mean-field dynamic equations of the U=0 Anderson model are recovered. At next-to-leading order (NLO), both spin-flip and direct interactions between localised atoms and conduction band atoms are taken into account non-perturbatively into the dynamic equations. This allows future studies of possibly existing novel phases in coupling regimes where the Kondo screening and RKKY-type interactions are competing.In this thesis, far-from-equilibrium dynamics of fermionic quantum gases is discussed utilising functional quantum field theoretical methods. Employing the Schwinger-Keldysh path integral, real-time Schwinger-Dyson/Kadanoff-Baym dynamic equations for the two-point correlation functions are derived from the two-particle irreducible (2PI) effective action. For two specific models, these dynamic equations are investigated further. (a) For an N-fold spin-degenerate ultra-cold Fermi gas, non-perturbative approximation schemes based on either a loop or a 1/N expansion of the 2PI effective action are presented. Adopting these approximations, the long-time evolution of a homogeneous Fermi gas with N=2 after an initial preparation far from thermal equilibrium is thoroughly studied in one spatial dimension. Depending on the total energy, the gas is found to evolve into thermal as well as non-thermal states, the latter becoming manifest in violating the fluctuation-dissipation relation. (b) A similar 1/N expansion is derived for the SU(N) symmetric Kondo lattice model. At leading order, the mean-field dynamic equations of the U=0 Anderson model are recovered. At next-to-leading order (NLO), both spin-flip and direct interactions between localised atoms and conduction band atoms are taken into account non-perturbatively into the dynamic equations. This allows future studies of possibly existing novel phases in coupling regimes where the Kondo screening and RKKY-type interactions are competing.

Jan 1, 20110 citations

\hbar

. The one-loop results for retarded correlation functions have been expressed in terms of a family of polynomials. We also provide a closed-form expression for the one-loop results at leading order in the wavevector expansion.