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Coordinate-space approach to vacuum polarization

Published

Author(s)

Peter J. Mohr, P Indelicatio, J. Sapirstein

Abstract

The vacuum-polarization correction for bound electrons or muons is examined. The objective is to formulate a framework for calculating the correction from bound-state quantum electrodynamics entirely in coordinate space, including the Uehling potential which is usually isolated and treated separately. Pauli-Villars regularization is applied to the coordinate-space calculation and the most singular terms are shown to be eliminated, leaving the physical correction after charge renormalization. The conventional derivation of the Uehling potential in momentum space is reviewed and compared to the coordinate-space derivation.
Citation
Physical Review A
Issue
89

Keywords

vacuum polarization, qed, renormalization, muonic hydrogen

Citation

Mohr, P. , Indelicatio, P. and Sapirstein, J. (2014), Coordinate-space approach to vacuum polarization, Physical Review A (Accessed April 25, 2024)
Created April 28, 2014, Updated February 19, 2017