Field theory of the Fermi function

RJ Hill, R Plestid�- Physical Review Letters, 2024 - APS
Physical Review Letters, 2024APS
The Fermi function F (Z, E) accounts for QED corrections to beta decays that are enhanced
at either small electron velocity β or large nuclear charge Z. For precision applications, the
Fermi function must be combined with other radiative corrections and with scale-and
scheme-dependent hadronic matrix elements. We formulate the Fermi function as a field
theory object and present a new factorization formula for QED radiative corrections to beta
decays. We provide new results for the anomalous dimension of the corresponding effective�…
The Fermi function accounts for QED corrections to beta decays that are enhanced at either small electron velocity or large nuclear charge . For precision applications, the Fermi function must be combined with other radiative corrections and with scale- and scheme-dependent hadronic matrix elements. We formulate the Fermi function as a field theory object and present a new factorization formula for QED radiative corrections to beta decays. We provide new results for the anomalous dimension of the corresponding effective operator complete through three loops, and resum perturbative logarithms and enhancements with renormalization-group methods. Our results are important for tests of fundamental physics with precision beta decay and related processes.
American Physical Society