The S Matrix in Quantum Electrodynamics

F. J. Dyson
Phys. Rev. 75, 1736 – Published 1 June 1949
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Abstract

The covariant quantum electrodynamics of Tomonaga, Schwinger, and Feynman is used as the basis for a general treatment of scattering problems involving electrons, positrons, and photons. Scattering processes, including the creation and annihilation of particles, are completely described by the S matrix of Heisenberg. It is shown that the elements of this matrix can be calculated, by a consistent use of perturbation theory, to any desired order in the fine-structure constant. Detailed rules are given for carrying out such calculations, and it is shown that divergences arising from higher order radiative corrections can be removed from the S matrix by a consistent use of the ideas of mass and charge renormalization.

Not considered in this paper are the problems of extending the treatment to include bound-state phenomena, and of proving the convergence of the theory as the order of perturbation itself tends to infinity.

  • Received 24 February 1949

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.75.1736

©1949 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

F. J. Dyson

  • Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey

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Issue

Vol. 75, Iss. 11 — June 1949

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