Minimal Proper-time in Quantum Field Theory
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arXiv
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| Hauptverfasser: | , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1866910100733558784 |
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| author | Maiezza, Alessio Vasquez, Juan Carlos |
| author_facet | Maiezza, Alessio Vasquez, Juan Carlos |
| contents | We propose a generalization of quantum field theory within Schrodinger's functional representation, inspired by Nambu's proper-time formulation of quantum mechanics. The key motivation for this generalization is to incorporate a fundamental, Lorentz-invariant minimum scale, which in this formulation is played by a minimal proper time $τ_{\min}$. The introduction of $τ_{\min}$ leads to several significant effects at very high energies: it modifies the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, induces a controlled violation of unitarity, and suppresses high-energy modes. This minimal scale renders the theory asymptotically safe through a mechanism akin to dimensional reduction, while reproducing all the standard results at low energies, where quantum field theory emerges. Remarkably, the same framework can accommodate a deterministic regime at energies approaching the Planck scale. These features suggest that a minimal proper-time formulation renders the quantum field theory an effective but finite theory, superseded at trans-Planckian energies. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_00045 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Minimal Proper-time in Quantum Field Theory Maiezza, Alessio Vasquez, Juan Carlos High Energy Physics - Theory We propose a generalization of quantum field theory within Schrodinger's functional representation, inspired by Nambu's proper-time formulation of quantum mechanics. The key motivation for this generalization is to incorporate a fundamental, Lorentz-invariant minimum scale, which in this formulation is played by a minimal proper time $τ_{\min}$. The introduction of $τ_{\min}$ leads to several significant effects at very high energies: it modifies the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, induces a controlled violation of unitarity, and suppresses high-energy modes. This minimal scale renders the theory asymptotically safe through a mechanism akin to dimensional reduction, while reproducing all the standard results at low energies, where quantum field theory emerges. Remarkably, the same framework can accommodate a deterministic regime at energies approaching the Planck scale. These features suggest that a minimal proper-time formulation renders the quantum field theory an effective but finite theory, superseded at trans-Planckian energies. |
| title | Minimal Proper-time in Quantum Field Theory |
| topic | High Energy Physics - Theory |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.00045 |