Raimar Wulkenhaar

Bio: Raimar Wulkenhaar is an academic researcher from University of Münster. The author has contributed to research in topics: Noncommutative geometry & Quantum field theory. The author has an hindex of 37, co-authored 144 publications receiving 5137 citations. Previous affiliations of Raimar Wulkenhaar include University of Vienna & Centre national de la recherche scientifique.

Renormalisation of ϕ4-Theory on Noncommutative ℝ4 in the Matrix Base

Abstract: We prove that the real four-dimensional Euclidean noncommutative ϕ4-model is renormalisable to all orders in perturbation theory. Compared with the commutative case, the bare action of relevant and marginal couplings contains necessarily an additional term: an harmonic oscillator potential for the free scalar field action. This entails a modified dispersion relation for the free theory, which becomes important at large distances (UV/IR-entanglement). The renormalisation proof relies on flow equations for the expansion coefficients of the effective action with respect to scalar fields written in the matrix base of the noncommutative ℝ4. The renormalisation flow depends on the topology of ribbon graphs and on the asymptotic and local behaviour of the propagator governed by orthogonal Meixner polynomials.

Renormalisation of \phi^4-theory on noncommutative R^4 in the matrix base

Abstract: We prove that the real four-dimensional Euclidean noncommutative \phi^4-model is renormalisable to all orders in perturbation theory. Compared with the commutative case, the bare action of relevant and marginal couplings contains necessarily an additional term: an harmonic oscillator potential for the free scalar field action. This entails a modified dispersion relation for the free theory, which becomes important at large distances (UV/IR-entanglement). The renormalisation proof relies on flow equations for the expansion coefficients of the effective action with respect to scalar fields written in the matrix base of the noncommutative R^4. The renormalisation flow depends on the topology of ribbon graphs and on the asymptotic and local behaviour of the propagator governed by orthogonal Meixner polynomials.

Renormalisation of \phi^4-theory on noncommutative R^2 in the matrix base

Abstract: As a first application of our renormalisation group approach to non-local matrix models [hep-th/0305066], we prove (super-)renormalisability of Euclidean two-dimensional noncommutative \phi^4-theory. It is widely believed that this model is renormalisable in momentum space arguing that there would be logarithmic UV/IR-divergences only. Although momentum space Feynman graphs can indeed be computed to any loop order, the logarithmic UV/IR-divergence appears in the renormalised two-point function -- a hint that the renormalisation is not completed. In particular, it is impossible to define the squared mass as the value of the two-point function at vanishing momentum. In contrast, in our matrix approach the renormalised N-point functions are bounded everywhere and nevertheless rely on adjusting the mass only. We achieve this by introducing into the cut-off model a translation-invariance breaking regulator which is scaled to zero with the removal of the cut-off. The naive treatment without regulator would not lead to a renormalised theory.

Power-Counting Theorem for Non-Local Matrix Models and Renormalisation

Abstract: Solving the exact renormalisation group equation a la Wilson-Polchinski perturbatively, we derive a power-counting theorem for general matrix models with arbitrarily non-local propagators. The power-counting degree is determined by two scaling dimensions of the cut-off propagator and various topological data of ribbon graphs. As a necessary condition for the renormalisability of a model, the two scaling dimensions have to be large enough relative to the dimension of the underlying space. In order to have a renormalisable model one needs additional locality properties—typically arising from orthogonal polynomials—which relate the relevant and marginal interaction coefficients to a finite number of base couplings. The main application of our power-counting theorem is the renormalisation of field theories on noncommutative ℝD in matrix formulation.

The \beta-function in duality-covariant noncommutative \phi^4-theory

Abstract: We compute the one-loop \beta-functions describing the renormalisation of the coupling constant \lambda and the frequency parameter \Omega for the real four-dimensional duality-covariant noncommutative \phi^4-model, which is renormalisable to all orders. The contribution from the one-loop four-point function is reduced by the one-loop wavefunction renormalisation, but the \beta_\lambda-function remains non-negative. Both \beta_\lambda and \beta_\Omega vanish at the one-loop level for the duality-invariant model characterised by \Omega=1. Moreover, \beta_\Omega also vanishes in the limit \Omega \to 0, which defines the standard noncommutative \phi^4-quantum field theory. Thus, the limit \Omega \to 0 exists at least at the one-loop level.

String theory and noncommutative geometry

Abstract: We extend earlier ideas about the appearance of noncommutative geometry in string theory with a nonzero B-field. We identify a limit in which the entire string dynamics is described by a minimally coupled (supersymmetric) gauge theory on a noncommutative space, and discuss the corrections away from this limit. Our analysis leads us to an equivalence between ordinary gauge fields and noncommutative gauge fields, which is realized by a change of variables that can be described explicitly. This change of variables is checked by comparing the ordinary Dirac-Born-Infeld theory with its noncommutative counterpart. We obtain a new perspective on noncommutative gauge theory on a torus, its T-duality, and Morita equivalence. We also discuss the D0/D4 system, the relation to M-theory in DLCQ, and a possible noncommutative version of the six-dimensional (2,0) theory.

Noncommutative field theory

Abstract: This article reviews the generalization of field theory to space-time with noncommuting coordinates, starting with the basics and covering most of the active directions of research. Such theories are now known to emerge from limits of M theory and string theory and to describe quantum Hall states. In the last few years they have been studied intensively, and many qualitatively new phenomena have been discovered, on both the classical and the quantum level.

Noncommutative perturbative dynamics

Abstract: We study the perturbative dynamics of noncommutative field theories on R d , and find an intriguing mixing of the UV and the IR. High energies of virtual particles in loops produce non-analyticity at low momentum. Consequently, the low energy effective action is singular at zero momentum even when the original noncommutative field theory is massive. Some of the nonplanar diagrams of these theories are divergent, but we interpret these divergences as IR divergences and deal with them accordingly. We explain how this UV/IR mixing arises from the underlying noncommutativity. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the channel duality of the double twist diagram in open string theory.

Quantum electrodynamics

Abstract: THE subject of quantum electrodynamics is extremely difficult, even for the case of a single electron. The usual method of solving the corresponding wave equation leads to divergent integrals. To avoid these, Prof. P. A. M. Dirac* uses the method of redundant variables. This does not abolish the difficulty, but presents it in a new form, which may be dealt with in two ways. The first of these needs only comparatively simple mathematics and is directly connected with an elegant general scheme, but unfortunately its wave functions apply only to a hypothetical world and so its physical interpretation is indirect. The second way has the advantage of a direct physical interpretation, but the mathematics is so complicated that it has not yet been solved even for what appears to be the simplest possible case. Both methods seem worth further study, failing the discovery of a third which would combine the advantages of both.