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{{short description|Gauge fixing procedure}}{{Primary sources|date=November 2024}}

In [[quantum field theory]], the '''Gupta–Bleuler formalism''' is a way of [[quantization (physics)|quantizing]] the [[electromagnetic field]]. The formulation is due to theoretical physicists [[Suraj N. Gupta]]<ref>{{harvnb|Gupta|1950}}</ref> and [[Konrad Bleuler]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bleuler|1950}}</ref>

==Overview==
Firstly, consider a single [[photon]]. A [[basis (linear algebra)|basis]] of the one-photon vector space (it is explained why it is not a [[Hilbert space]] below) is given by the [[eigenstate]]s <math>|k,\epsilon_\mu\rangle </math> where <math>k</math>, the 4-[[momentum]] is [[null vector|null]] (<math>k^2=0</math>) and the <math>k_0</math> component, the energy, is positive and <math> \epsilon_\mu </math> is the unit [[polarization vector]] and the index <math>\mu</math> ranges from 0 to 3. So, <math>k</math> is uniquely determined by the spatial momentum <math>\vec{k}</math>. Using the [[bra–ket notation]], this space is equipped with a [[sesquilinear form]] defined by

:<math>\langle\vec{k}_a;\epsilon_\mu|\vec{k}_b;\epsilon_\nu\rangle=(-\eta_{\mu\nu})\,2|\vec{k}_a|\,\delta(\vec{k}_a-\vec{k}_b)</math>,

where the <math>2|\vec{k}_a|</math> factor is to implement [[Lorentz covariance]]. The [[metric signature]] used here is +−−−. However, this sesquilinear form gives positive norms for spatial polarizations but negative norms for time-like polarizations. Negative probabilities are unphysical, not to mention a physical photon only has two [[transverse wave|transverse]] polarizations, not four.

If one includes gauge covariance, one realizes a photon can have three possible polarizations (two transverse and one longitudinal (i.e. parallel to the 4-momentum)). This is given by the restriction <math>k\cdot \epsilon=0</math>. However, the longitudinal component is merely an unphysical gauge. While it would be nice to define a stricter restriction than the one given above which only leaves the two transverse components, it is easy to check that this can't be defined in a [[Lorentz covariant]] manner because what is transverse in one frame of reference isn't transverse anymore in another.

To resolve this difficulty, first look at the subspace with three polarizations. The sesquilinear form restricted to it is merely [[semidefinite]], which is better than indefinite.
In addition, the subspace with zero norm turns out to be none other than the gauge degrees of freedom. So, define the physical [[Hilbert space]] to be the [[Quotient space (topology)|quotient space]] of the three polarization subspace by its zero norm subspace. This space has a [[definite bilinear form|positive definite]] form, making it a true Hilbert space.

This technique can be similarly extended to the bosonic [[Fock space]] of multiparticle photons. Using the standard trick of adjoint [[creation operator|creation]] and [[annihilation operator]]s, but with this quotient trick, one can formulate a [[free field]] [[vector potential]] as an [[operator valued distribution]] <math>A</math> satisfying

:<math>\partial^\mu \partial_\mu A=0</math>

with the condition

:<math>\langle\chi|\partial^\mu A_\mu|\psi\rangle=0</math>

for physical states <math>|\chi\rangle</math> and <math>|\psi\rangle</math> in the Fock space (it is understood that physical states are really equivalence classes of states that differ by a state of zero norm).

This is not the same thing as

:<math>\partial^\mu A_\mu=0</math>.

Note that if O is any gauge invariant operator,

:<math>\langle\chi|O|\psi\rangle</math>

does not depend upon the choice of the representatives of the equivalence classes, and so, this quantity is well-defined.

This is not true for non-gauge-invariant operators in general because the [[Lorenz gauge]] still leaves residual gauge degrees of freedom.

In an interacting theory of [[quantum electrodynamics]], the Lorenz gauge condition still applies, but <math>A</math> no longer satisfies the free wave equation.

== See also ==
* [[BRST formalism]]
* [[Quantum gauge theory]]
* [[Quantum electrodynamics]]
* [[ξ gauge]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{citation|first=K.|last=Bleuler|journal=Helv. Phys. Acta|volume=23|issue=5|pages=567–586|year=1950|doi=10.5169/seals-112124|language=German|postscript=(pdf download available)|title=Eine neue Methode zur Behandlung der longitudinalen und skalaren Photonen}}
* {{citation|first=S.|last=Gupta|journal=Proc. Phys. Soc.|volume=63A|issue=7|pages=681–691|year=1950|doi=10.1088/0370-1298/63/7/301|bibcode = 1950PPSA...63..681G |title=Theory of Longitudinal Photons in Quantum Electrodynamics}}

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[[Category:Gauge theories]]
[[Category:Quantum electrodynamics]]