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Gauge-Independence and the Two-Body Problem in QED

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Abstract

I describe a gauge-independent approach to the relativistic two-body bound state and scattering problems in quantum field theory. The basic tool is an ordinary three-dimensional equation involving a potential operator V which gets contributions from both irreducible and reducible diagrams. In QED the resultant V is independent of the choice of covariant gauge used for the photon propagator, unlike the kernel in the Bethe–Salpeter equation. As an illustration, a problem concerning spin-independent level shifts in two-body bound states is analyzed.

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REFERENCES

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  1. Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742

    J. Sucher

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  1. J. Sucher
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Sucher, J. Gauge-Independence and the Two-Body Problem in QED. Foundations of Physics 30, 371–381 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003665605369

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003665605369

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