The Bethe-Salpeter equation with fermions

Abstract

The Bethe-Salpeter (BS) equation in the ladder approximation is studied within a fermion theory: two fermion fields (constituents) with mass m interacting via an exchange of a scalar field with mass μ. The BS equation can be written in the form of an integral equation in the configuration Euclidean x-space with the symmetric kernel K for which Tr K ² = ∞ due to the singular character of the fermion propagator. This kernel is represented in the form K = K ₀ + K _I . The operator K ₀ with Tr K ₀ ² = ∞ is of the “fall at the center” potential type and describes a continuous spectrum only. Besides the presence of this operator leads to a restriction on the value of the coupling constant. The kernel K _I with Tr K _I ² < ∞ is responsible for bound fermion-fermion states.

Our approach is that the eigenvalue problem of the equation $\Lambda\Psi = g^2(K_0 + K_I)\Psi \qquad {\rm with}\qquad \Lambda = 1$ can be rewritten in the form $\Phi={\frac {1}{\sqrt{\Lambda-g^2 K_0}}} g^2 K_I {\frac {1} {\sqrt{\Lambda-g^2K_0}}}\Phi.$ The kernel of the last equation is finite for g ² < g _c ² and the variational procedure of calculations of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions can be applied.

The quantum pseudoscalar and scalar mesodynamics is considered. The binding energy of the state 1⁺ (deuteron) as a function of the coupling constant is calculated in the framework of the procedure formulated above. It is shown that this bound state is absent in the pseudoscalar mesodynamics and does exist in the scalar mesodynamics. A comparison with the non-relativistic Schrödinger picture is made.