Quantum Fluctuations and Irreversibility

Abstract

We study how the effects of quantum corrections lead to notions of irreversibility and clustering in quantum field theory. In particular, we consider the virtual ``charge" distribution generated by quantum corrections and adopt for it a statistical interpretation. Then, this virtual charge is shown to ($a$) describe a system where the equilibrium state is at its classical limit ($\hbar \rightarrow 0$), ($b$) give rise to spatial diffusion of the virtual cloud that decays as the classical limit is approached and ($c$) lead to a scenario where clustering takes place due to quantum dynamics, and a natural transition from a ``fractal" to a homogeneous regime occurs as distances increase.