Field theory without Feynman diagrams: One-loop effective actions
Abstract
In this paper the connection between standard perturbation theory techniques and the new Bern-Kosower calculational rules for gauge theory is clarified. For one-loop effective actions of scalars, Dirac spinors, and vector bosons in a background gauge field, Bern-Kosower type rules are derived without the use of either string theory or Feynman diagrams. The effective action is written as a one-dimensional path integral, which can be calculated to any order in the gauge coupling; evaluation leads to Feynman parameter integrals directly, bypassing the usual algebra required from Feynman diagrams, and leading to compact and organized expressions. This formalism is valid off-shell, is explicitly gauge invariant, and can be extended to a number of other field theories.
- Publication:
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Nuclear Physics B
- Pub Date:
- October 1992
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0550-3213(92)90098-V
- arXiv:
- arXiv:hep-ph/9205205
- Bibcode:
- 1992NuPhB.385..145S
- Keywords:
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- High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
- E-Print:
- 52 pages