Schwinger's quantum action principle. From Dirac's formulation through Feynman's path integrals, the Schwinger-Keldysh method, quantum field theory, to source theory

DOI10.1007/978-3-319-20128-3MaRDI QIDQ2353151zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Kimball A. Milton

Publication date 8 July 2015

Published in SpringerBriefs in Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1503.08091

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Research exposition (monographs, survey articles) pertaining to quantum theory (81-02) Alternative quantum mechanics (including hidden variables, etc.) (81Q65) Quantum field theory; related classical field theories (81Txx)

Abstract: Starting from the earlier notions of stationary action principles, we show how Julian Schwinger's Quantum Action Principle descended from Dirac's formulation, which independently led Feynman to his path-integral formulation of quantum mechanics. The connection between the two is brought out, and applications are discussed. The Keldysh-Schwinger time-cycle method of extracting matrix elements in nonequilibrium situations is described. The variational formulation of quantum field theory and the development of source theory constitute the latter part of this work. In this document, derived from Schwinger's lectures over four decades, the continuity of concepts, such as that of Green's functions, becomes apparent.

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