Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: A bstract The classical eikonal is defined to be the generator of all scattering observables in a scattering problem in classical mechanics. It was originally introduced as the log of the quantum S-matrix in the classical limit. But its classical nature calls for a definition and computational methods independent of quantum mechanics. In this paper, we formulate a classical interaction picture which serves as the foundation of the classical eikonal. Our emphasis is on generality. In perturbation theories, both Hamiltonian deformation and symplectic deformation are considered. Particles and fields are treated on a similar footing. The causality prescription of the propagator is essentially the same for non-relativistic and relativistic kinematics. For a probe particle in electromagnetic or gravitational background, we present all order formulas for the perturbative eikonal. In the electromagnetic setting, we also illustrate how the eikonal encodes the information on radiation of external fields.
Source: Journal of High Energy Physics
Authors: Sungsoo Kim, Hojin Lee, Sangmin Lee
Institutions: Seoul National University, Korea Institute for Advanced Study
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415967208