Living with Infinities

Abstract

This is the written version of a talk given in memory of Gunnar Källén, at the Departments of Theoretical Physics, Physics, and Astronomy of Lund University on February 13, 2009. It will be published in a collection of the papers of Gunnar Källén, edited by C. Jarlskog and A. C. T. Wu. I discuss some of Källén's work, especially regarding the problem of infinities in quantum field theory, and recount my own interactions with him. In addition, I describe for non-specialists the current status of the problem, and present my personal view on how it may be resolved in the future.

16 pages, minor changes in text, many references added

Cited by in corpus (21)

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• Fixed-Functionals of three-dimensional Quantum Einstein Gravity
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• Avoidance of singularities in asymptotically safe Quantum Einstein Gravity
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• Introduction to a Quantum Theory over a Galois Field
• RG flows of Quantum Einstein Gravity in the linear-geometric approximation
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• Finite Mathematics, Finite Quantum Theory and Applications to Gravity and Particle Theory
• Planck's Radiation Law in the Quantized Universe
• An asymptotic-safety mechanism for chiral Yukawa systems
• Quantum fields in the non-perturbative regime - Yang-Mills theory and gravity