Classical Resummation and Breakdown of Strong-Field QED

QED perturbation theory has been conjectured to break down in sufficiently strong backgrounds, obstructing the analysis of strong-field physics. We show that the breakdown occurs even in classical electrodynamics, at lower field strengths than previously considered, and that it may be cured by resum...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2021-08, Vol.127 (6), p.061601-061601, Article 061601
Main Authors: Heinzl, T, Ilderton, A, King, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blocking
Breakdown
Perturbation theory
Quantum electrodynamics
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Summary:QED perturbation theory has been conjectured to break down in sufficiently strong backgrounds, obstructing the analysis of strong-field physics. We show that the breakdown occurs even in classical electrodynamics, at lower field strengths than previously considered, and that it may be cured by resummation. As a consequence, an analogous resummation is required in QED. A detailed investigation shows, for a range of observables, that unitarity removes diagrams previously believed to be responsible for the breakdown of QED perturbation theory.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.061601