Variational approximations for correlation functions in quantum field theories (Q1580515)

The time-dependent variational principle of \textit{M. Balian} and \textit{R. Veneroni} [Nucl. Phys. B 408, 445-484 (1993; Zbl 0990.03998)] is used to derive approximations of the multi-time correlation functions for the scalar \(\Phi^4\) field theory. To begin with, the initial state is assumed to be given by some Gaussian density operator. The author then studies a situation where some loworder expectation values have been prescribed and poses the problem to find the optimizing initial thermal state. Explicit formulas are given for the two-time equilibrium correlation function in the symmetric phase.