Worldline quantum field theories

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jan Plefka
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 508889767

Worldline quantum field theories are the first quantized formulation of quantum field theory. They have played a key role in recent efforts to treat the classical relativistic two-body problem with modern amplitude technology in the post-Minkowskian expansion. They also arise in the point particle limit of string theory. The goal of this project is to bring key aspects of the modern amplitude and Feynman integration program to the worldline: We will establish the double copy between gauge theories and gravity in its worldline formulation and research recursive on-shell methods to construct worldline quantum field theory integrands. In addition, we will study the gravitational and color memory effect emerging from the double copy relation. Finally, we will investigate the occurrence of Calabi-Yau periods in the master integrals appearing in highest-order post-Minkowskian calculations, enabling us to master these frontier computations. These novel techniques will streamline the computation of observables in classical gravitational scattering with direct impact on waveform modelings relevant for gravitational wave observatories.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5582: Modern Foundations of Scattering Amplitudes
• Co-Investigators: Professor Albrecht Klemm, Ph.D.; Stephan Stieberger, Ph.D.