Multi-time wave functions such as φ(t 1 , x 1 , . . . , t N , x N ) have one time variable t j for each particle. This type of wave function arises as a relativistic generalization of the wave function ψ(t, x 1 , . . . , x N ) of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. We show here how a quantum field theory can be formulated in terms of multitime wave functions. We mainly consider a particular quantum field theory that features particle creation and annihilation. Starting from the particle-position representation of state vectors in Fock space, we introduce multi-time wave functions with a variable number of time variables, set up multi-time evolution equations, and show that they are consistent. Moreover, we discuss the relation of the multi-time wave function to two other representations, the Tomonaga-Schwinger representation and the Heisenberg picture in terms of operator-valued fields on space-time. In a certain sense and under natural assumptions, we find that all three representations are equivalent; yet, we point out that the multi-time formulation has several technical and conceptual advantages.Key words: Tomonaga-Schwinger equation; many-time formalism; particleposition representation of quantum states; consistency of multi-time Schrödinger equations; relativistic wave functions; wave functions on spacelike hypersurfaces; operator-valued fields; Heisenberg picture in quantum field theory.

Multi-time wave functions are wave functions that have a time variable for every particle, such as φ(t 1 , x 1 , . . . , t N , x N ). They arise as a relativistic analog of the wave functions of quantum mechanics but can be applied also in quantum field theory. The evolution of a wave function with N time variables is governed by N Schrödinger equations, one for each time variable. These Schrödinger equations can be inconsistent with each other, i.e., they can fail to possess a joint solution for every initial condition; in fact, the N Hamiltonians need to satisfy a certain commutator condition in order to be consistent. While this condition is automatically satisfied for non-interacting particles, it is a challenge to set up consistent multi-time equations with interaction. We prove for a wide class of multi-time Schrödinger equations that the presence of interaction potentials (given by multiplication operators) leads to inconsistency. We conclude that interaction has to be implemented instead by creation and annihilation of particles, which, in fact, can be done consistently, as we show elsewhere [17]. We also prove the following result: When a cut-off length δ > 0 is introduced (in the sense that the multi-time wave function is defined only on a certain set of spacelike configurations, thereby breaking Lorentz invariance), then the multi-time Schrödinger equations with interaction potentials of range δ are consistent; however, in the desired limit δ → 0 of removing the cut-off, the resulting multi-time equations are interaction-free, which supports the conclusion expressed in the title.

We study the time evolution of a system of N spinless fermions in R 3 which interact through a pair potential, e.g., the Coulomb potential. We compare the dynamics given by the solution to Schrödinger's equation with the time-dependent Hartree-Fock approximation, and we give an estimate for the accuracy of this approximation in terms of the kinetic energy of the system. This leads, in turn, to bounds in terms of the initial total energy of the system. MSC class: 35Q40, 35Q55, 81Q05, 82C10

We introduce a new method for deriving the time-dependent Hartree or Hartree-Fock equations as an effective mean-field dynamics from the microscopic Schrödinger equation for fermionic many-particle systems in quantum mechanics. The method is an adaption of the method used in Pickl (Lett. Math. Phys. 97 (2) 151-164 2011) for bosonic systems to fermionic systems. It is based on a Gronwall type estimate for a suitable measure of distance between the microscopic solution and an antisymmetrized product state. We use this method to treat a new meanfield limit for fermions with long-range interactions in a large volume. Some of our results hold for singular attractive or repulsive interactions. We can also treat Coulomb interaction assuming either a mild singularity cutoff or certain regularity conditions on the solutions to the Hartree(-Fock) equations. In the considered limit, the kinetic and interaction energy are of the same order, while the average force is subleading. For some interactions, we prove that the Hartree(-Fock) dynamics is a more accurate approximation than a simpler dynamics that one would expect from the subleading force. With our method we also treat the mean-field limit coupled to a Sören Petrat

In non-relativistic quantum mechanics of N particles in three spatial dimensions, the wave function ψ(q 1 , . . . , q N , t) is a function of 3N position coordinates and one time coordinate. It is an obvious idea that in a relativistic setting, such functions should be replaced by φ((t 1 , q 1 ), . . . , (t N , q N )), a function of N spacetime points called a multi-time wave function because it involves N time variables. Its evolution is determined by N Schrödinger equations, one for each time variable; to ensure that simultaneous solutions to these N equations exist, the N Hamiltonians need to satisfy a consistency condition. This condition is automatically satisfied for non-interacting particles, but it is not obvious how to set up consistent multi-time equations with interaction. For example, interaction potentials (such as the Coulomb potential) make the equations inconsistent, except in very special cases. However, there have been recent successes in setting up consistent multi-time equations involving interaction, in two ways: either involving zero-range (δ potential) interaction or involving particle creation and annihilation. The latter equations provide a multi-time formulation of a quantum field theory. The wave function in these equations is a multi-time Fock function, i.e., a family of functions consisting of, for every n = 0, 1, 2, . . ., an n-particle wave function with n time variables. These wave functions are related to the Tomonaga-Schwinger approach and to quantum field operators, but, as we point out, they have several advantages.