Electric Charge Running in Dimensionless Gravity Theory Reveals Separation of UV and Soft Logarithms at One Loop

The behaviour of electric charge at extremely high energies remains a fundamental question in physics, and recent work by M. Gomes, A. C. Lehum, and A. J. da Silva investigates this phenomenon within a unique theoretical framework combining quantum electrodynamics with a simplified theory of gravity. The team rigorously examines how the electric charge ‘runs’, changes with energy, and demonstrates a clear distinction between ultraviolet (UV) effects, which determine the fundamental strength of the charge, and softer, infrared (IR) contributions arising from gravitational interactions. Their analysis reveals that, surprisingly, this particular model of gravity does not alter the established behaviour of the electric charge at high energies, providing crucial insight into how to accurately calculate charge behaviour when gravity is involved and clarifying the role of these softer gravitational effects. This achievement establishes a robust method for extracting meaningful predictions about electric charge, even in the presence of complex gravitational interactions.

Quantum Gravity’s Non-Renormalizability and Effective Field Theory

This paper explores the challenges of combining general relativity with quantum mechanics, specifically addressing the issue of non-renormalizability. General relativity, when treated as a quantum field theory, produces calculations with infinite results that are difficult to resolve. To overcome this, the researchers employ the effective field theory approach, focusing on low-energy calculations and acknowledging the theory’s limitations at extremely high energies. This allows for meaningful predictions even without a complete theory of quantum gravity. The study investigates how these gravitational interactions affect the Standard Model of particle physics, revealing that gravity can induce infinities in otherwise finite calculations. The team systematically analyzes these corrections, focusing on how they impact the fundamental parameters of the Standard Model.,.

Gauge Coupling Renormalization in Scaleless Gravity

Scientists investigated how the strength of the electric charge changes with energy when gravity is involved, focusing on a theoretical framework combining quantum electrodynamics with a simplified model of gravity. They calculated the “running” of the electric charge using two different methods, comparing standard techniques with a new approach based on high-energy behaviour. The results demonstrate that both methods yield the same outcome after accounting for infrared effects, clarifying how to consistently calculate the electric charge even when gravity is present. This analysis confirms that the fundamental ultraviolet behaviour of the electric charge remains unchanged, meaning gravity’s influence is limited to softer, low-energy effects.,.

Gauge Coupling Renormalization in Quantum Electrodynamics

Researchers explored how the strength of the electric charge changes with energy when combined with a specific model of gravity, a “quadratic theory”. They compared two methods for calculating this change, one conventional and one based on high-energy behaviour, and found that both approaches yield identical results after carefully separating ultraviolet and infrared effects. This analysis clarifies how to consistently calculate the electric charge even when gravity is present, confirming that the low-energy, infrared effects of gravity do not alter the fundamental ultraviolet behaviour of the electric charge. The team’s calculations involved detailed analysis of vacuum polarization, revealing a clear distinction between ultraviolet and soft logarithmic contributions.,.

Charge Renormalization Confirmed with Gravity

This research clarifies how to determine a consistent measure of electric charge in the presence of gravity, demonstrating equivalence between standard calculations and those incorporating gravitational interactions. Scientists investigated the renormalization of the gauge coupling within a theoretical framework combining quantum electrodynamics with a specific model of gravity, a “quadratic theory”, to understand how gravity might influence the observed strength of electromagnetic interactions. They compared two methods for calculating the running of the electric charge, one conventional and one based on physical amplitudes, and found that, after carefully separating ultraviolet and infrared effects, both approaches yield identical results. This finding is significant because it establishes a clear pathway for consistently calculating electromagnetic properties even when gravitational effects are present, reinforcing the idea that a gauge-independent measure of electric charge can be maintained.