2020arXiv (Cornell University)Open access

The Feynman integral path a Henstock integral: a survey and open problems

R. Gaitán, M. Guadalupe Morales

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Abstract

The Feynman path integral is defined over the space $\mathbb{R}^T$ of all possible paths; it has been a powerful tool to develop Quantum Mechanics. The absolute value of Feynman's integrand is not integrable, then Lebesgue integration theory could not be used by Feynman. However, it exists formally as a Henstock integral (which does not require the measure concept) and is a suitable alternative to the ordinary integrals that normally appear in path integrals. Feynman proved the equivalence of his theory with the traditional formulation of Quantum Mechanics, since his path integral satisfies Schrödinger's equation. On the other hand, Feynman's path integral is related to the diagrams of Feynman. For the application of this integral in Feynman's diagrams it is necessary to exchange the integral $\int_{\mathbb{R}^T}$ and the series. We discuss the impossibility to exchange the integral and the sum, considering integral of Henstock and the version of Dominated Convergence Theorem. Even it has not been proved through the several mathematical formalisms that have been used.

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The Feynman path integral is defined over the space $\mathbb{R}^T$ of all possible paths; it has been a powerful tool to develop Quantum Mechanics. The absolute value of Feynman's integrand is not integrable, then Lebesgue integration theory could not be used by Feynman. However, it exists formally as a Henstock integral (which does not require the measure concept) and is a suitable alternative to the ordinary integrals that normally appear in path integrals. Feynman proved the equivalence of his theory with the traditional formulation of Quantum Mechanics, since his path integral satisfies Schrödinger's equation. On the other hand, Feynman's path integral is related to the diagrams of Feynman. For the application of this integral in Feynman's diagrams it is necessary to exchange the integral $\int_{\mathbb{R}^T}$ and the series. We discuss the impossibility to exchange the integral and the sum, considering integral of Henstock and the version of Dominated Convergence Theorem. Even it has not been proved through the several mathematical formalisms that have been used.

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Available abstract

The Feynman path integral is defined over the space $\mathbb{R}^T$ of all possible paths; it has been a powerful tool to develop Quantum Mechanics. The absolute value of Feynman's integrand is not integrable, then Lebesgue integration theory could not be used by Feynman. However, it exists formally as a Henstock integral (which does not require the measure concept) and is a suitable alternative to the ordinary integrals that normally appear in path integrals. Feynman proved the equivalence of his theory with the traditional formulation of Quantum Mechanics, since his path integral satisfies Schrödinger's equation. On the other hand, Feynman's path integral is related to the diagrams of Feynman. For the application of this integral in Feynman's diagrams it is necessary to exchange the integral $\int_{\mathbb{R}^T}$ and the series. We discuss the impossibility to exchange the integral and the sum, considering integral of Henstock and the version of Dominated Convergence Theorem. Even it has not been proved through the several mathematical formalisms that have been used.

Key concepts: Path integral formulation, Feynman diagram, Functional integration, Mathematics, Path (computing), Feynman integral, Mathematical physics, Integral equation

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