Renormalization

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Renormalization is a collection of techniques in quantum field theory, statistical field theory, and the theory of self-similar geometric structures, that are used to treat infinities arising in calculated quantities by altering values of these quantities to compensate for effects of their self-interactions. Even if no infinities arose in loop diagrams in quantum field theory, it can be shown that it is necessary to renormalize the mass and fields appearing in the original Lagrangian. This is the dominant method used in theoretical physics to treat these divergent quantities due to its broad applicability, though more limited but rigorous approaches like causal perturbation theory are also used. For example, an electron theory may begin by postulating an electron with an initial mass and charge. In quantum field theory a cloud of virtual particles, such as photons, positrons, and others surrounds and interacts with the initial electron. Accounting for the interactions of the surrounding...

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