Classification of higher order diagrams in non-equilibrium theory, and the removal of pinch singularities

Abstract

The non-equilibrium two loop self-energy is reexamined in the framework of a scalar quark and gluon model, with specific attention to terms which do not give rise to the standard two -> two particle collisional terms in the semi-classical Boltzmann equation. It is shown that most of these terms contribute to renormalization of component lines at a lower level, rendering the theory correct to (gm)^4. This result can be generalized to a higher number of loops. The remaining terms, which do not fall into any physical category, are shown explicitly to vanish. We then examine the possibility that pinch singularities could arise in this theory, and demonstrate that this is not so for the case of equilibrium and small deviations from equilibrium, at the two loop level.