Feintzeig, Benjamin (2018) The Status of Scaling Limits as Approximations in Quantum Theories. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This paper attempts to make sense of a notion of ``approximation on certain scales'' in physical theories. I use this notion to understand the classical limit of ordinary quantum mechanics as a kind of scaling limit, showing that the mathematical tools of strict quantization allow one to make the notion of approximation precise. I then compare this example with the scaling limits involved in renormalization procedures for effective field theories. I argue that one does not yet have the mathematical tools to make a notion of ``approximation on certain scales" precise in extant mathematical formulations of effective field theories. This provides guidance on the kind of further work that is needed for an adequate interpretation of quantum field theory.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Feintzeig, Benjamin bfeintze@uw.edu
Keywords:	classical limit, scaling limits, effective field theories, approximation, quantization
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Benjamin Feintzeig
Date Deposited:	26 Jul 2018 04:48
Last Modified:	26 Jul 2018 04:48
Item ID:	14905
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	2018
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14905

Available Versions of this Item

• The Status of Scaling Limits as Approximations in Quantum Theories. (deposited 26 Jul 2018 04:48) [Currently Displayed]
  • The classical limit as an approximation. (deposited 23 Aug 2019 13:57)

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