Can Euclidean lattice quantum field theory be analytically continued into Minkowski space?

Abstract

In this paper, we attempt to test whether Euclidean lattice quantum field theory can be analytically continued into Minkowski space via the inverse Wick rotation. Our discussion indicates that such an analytical continuation is impossible without first taking the lattice theory to the continuum limit. The obstacle is that discretization of spacetime converts local quantum field theory into a theory with a nonlocal form factor, for which the Wick rotation is infeasible.

6 pages, 1 figure