The LSZ reduction formula from homotopy algebras

Abstract

When we describe string field theory or quantum field theory in terms of homotopy algebras, on-shell scattering amplitudes at the tree level are obtained by the formula based on the minimal model. While this formula can be extended to loop amplitudes and it generates the correct set of Feynman diagrams, the evaluation of each Feynman diagram may fail to be well defined because of mass renormalization. Furthermore, this formula does not explain why we use Feynman propagators in loops. In this paper we first present the LSZ reduction formula in terms of quantum $A_\infty$ algebras, which provides a well-defined prescription for loop amplitudes. We then present a formula for connected correlation functions based on quantum $A_\infty$ algebras, and we use it to discuss the relation between the LSZ reduction formula and the extension of the minimal model to loop amplitudes.