https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02128-x
Review
Minkowski space dynamics and light-front projection
Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, 12.228-900, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
a
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Received:
29
May
2025
Accepted:
6
January
2026
Published online:
24
January
2026
Abstract
We explore the connection between the four-dimensional Minkowski-space Bethe–Salpeter equation and its light-front projection, emphasizing the implications for bound-state dynamics. Our approach incorporates dressed particles, such as quarks, via the integral representation of the corresponding propagator. We analyze the light-front dynamics of the valence component of the physical state using a hierarchical set of Green’s functions, which reveals its coupling to higher Fock components when dressed particles are considered. We also present the light-front Faddeev–Bethe–Salpeter equations for three-body systems with dressed constituents. Furthermore, we discuss formal developments that are central to connecting the three-dimensional light-front dynamics onto the null-plane and the four-dimensional Minkowski-space framework, based on the Nakanishi integral representation. Selected applications to hadron structure are also reviewed.
Wayne de Paula and Tobias Frederico contributed equally to this work.
© The Author(s) 2026
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