Variational approximation for two-time correlation functions in $\Phi^4$ theory : optimization of the dynamics

Abstract

We apply the time-dependent variational principle of Balian and V\'en\'eroni to the $ \Phi^4$ theory. An appropriate parametrization for the variational objects allows us to write coupled dynamical equations from which we derive approximations for the two-time correlation functions involving two, three or four field operators.