MASS RENORMALIZATION Meaning and
Definition
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Mass renormalization is a concept used in quantum field theory to account for the discrepancy between the observed mass of a particle and its "bare" or unrenormalized mass. In this context, "bare" mass refers to the mass value that is initially assigned to a particle before applying the principles of renormalization.
Renormalization is a mathematical procedure employed in quantum field theory in order to remove certain infinities that arise when attempting to calculate physical quantities. One of the consequences of this procedure is the need to adjust the mass of a particle to account for its interaction with other particles and fields.
Initially, the bare mass assigned to a particle is an idealized value that does not take into account the interactions and effects of the surrounding environment. However, when these interactions are considered, the measured mass of the particle is often found to differ from its bare mass. The difference between the measured mass and the bare mass is known as the mass renormalization.
Mass renormalization involves adjusting the bare mass by a certain amount, typically referred to as a counterterm, to obtain the physical mass observed experimentally. This adjustment accounts for the effects of virtual particles, self-interactions, and the contributions from fields present in the vacuum.
Overall, mass renormalization is a crucial concept in quantum field theory as it ensures that the theory provides meaningful predictions that agree with experimental observations by accounting for the intricate interactions and effects that particles experience in the quantum realm.
Etymology of MASS RENORMALIZATION
The word "renormalization" in physics derives from the combination of two terms: "re" and "normalization". The word "normalization" refers to the process of making something conform or return to a standard or normal state. The prefix "re" indicates repetition or again, suggesting the repetition of the normalization process.
In the context of physics, "renormalization" specifically refers to a technique used to remove infinities that appear in certain calculations within quantum field theory. These infinities arise due to the self-interaction of particles. By repeatedly adjusting or "renormalizing" certain parameters, physicists can eliminate these infinities and obtain finite and meaningful results.
The term "mass renormalization" refers to the specific application of renormalization techniques to deal with the infinite mass values that arise in quantum field theory calculations.
