An Alternative Approach to the Wick Rotation Through Picard-Lefschetz Theory
Open Access
Author:
Tobin, Sean
Area of Honors:
Physics
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Martin Bojowald, Thesis Supervisor Richard Wallace Robinett, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Picard-Lefschetz Theory Quantum Field Theory Path Integral Dilaton Gravity
Abstract:
Quantum field theory (QFT) is the foundational toolbox of contemporary physics because of its amazing track record against experiments. QFT's powerful path integral formalism allows for extraordinary perturbative calculations, however it is computationally based on the Wick rotation. The Wick rotation transforms the time coordinate to imaginary time which changes the symmetry transformations of our spacetime. This thesis examines the application of Picard-Lefschetz theory to the computation of path integrals and their correlation functions without changing the symmetries of the spacetime.
