Discrete fields on the lightcone

Abstract

We introduce a classical field theory based on a concept of extended causality that mimics the causality of a point-particle Classical Mechanics by imposing constraints that are equivalent to a particle initial position and velocity. It results on a description of discrete (pointwise) interactions in terms of localized particle-like fields. We find the propagators of these particle-like fields and discuss their physical meaning, properties and consequences. They are conformally invariant, singularity-free, and describing a manifestly covariant $(1+1)$-dimensional dynamics in a $(3+1)$ spacetime. Remarkably this conformal symmetry remains even for the propagation of a massive field in four spacetime dimensions. The standard formalism with its distributed fields is retrieved in terms of spacetime average of the discrete fields. Singularities are the by-products of the averaging proccess. This new formalism enlightens the meaning and the problems of field theory, and may allow a softer transition to a quantum theory.

26 pages, Revtex, 11 ps figures