How a space-time singularity helps remove the ultraviolet divergence problem

Henheik SJ, Poudyal B, Tumulka R. How a space-time singularity helps remove the ultraviolet divergence problem. arXiv, 10.48550/arXiv.2409.00677.

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Henheik, Sven JoschaISTA ; Poudyal, Bipul; Tumulka, Roderich

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Abstract
Particle creation terms in quantum Hamiltonians are usually ultraviolet divergent and thus mathematically ill defined. A rather novel way of solving this problem is based on imposing so-called interior-boundary conditions on the wave function. Previous papers showed that this approach works in the non-relativistic regime, but particle creation is mostly relevant in the relativistic case after all. In flat relativistic space-time (that is, neglecting gravity), the approach was previously found to work only for certain somewhat artificial cases. Here, as a way of taking gravity into account, we consider curved space-time, specifically the super-critical Reissner-Nordstr\"om space-time, which features a naked timelike singularity. We find that the interior-boundary approach works fully in this setting; in particular, we prove rigorously the existence of well-defined, self-adjoint Hamiltonians with particle creation at the singularity, based on interior-boundary conditions. We also non-rigorously analyze the asymptotic behavior of the Bohmian trajectories and construct the corresponding Bohm-Bell process of particle creation, motion, and annihilation. The upshot is that in quantum physics, a naked space-time singularity need not lead to a breakdown of physical laws, but on the contrary allows for boundary conditions governing what comes out of the singularity and thereby removing the ultraviolet divergence.
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Date Published
2025-02-28
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arXiv
Acknowledgement
JH gratefully acknowledges partial financial support by the ERC Advanced Grant “RMTBeyond” No. 101020331.
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Henheik SJ, Poudyal B, Tumulka R. How a space-time singularity helps remove the ultraviolet divergence problem. arXiv. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2409.00677
Henheik, S. J., Poudyal, B., & Tumulka, R. (n.d.). How a space-time singularity helps remove the ultraviolet divergence problem. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2409.00677
Henheik, Sven Joscha, Bipul Poudyal, and Roderich Tumulka. “How a Space-Time Singularity Helps Remove the Ultraviolet Divergence Problem.” ArXiv, n.d. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2409.00677.
S. J. Henheik, B. Poudyal, and R. Tumulka, “How a space-time singularity helps remove the ultraviolet divergence problem,” arXiv. .
Henheik SJ, Poudyal B, Tumulka R. How a space-time singularity helps remove the ultraviolet divergence problem. arXiv, 10.48550/arXiv.2409.00677.
Henheik, Sven Joscha, et al. “How a Space-Time Singularity Helps Remove the Ultraviolet Divergence Problem.” ArXiv, doi:10.48550/arXiv.2409.00677.
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