The inverted pendulum as a classical analog of the EFT paradigm

Abstract

Abstract The inverted pendulum is a mechanical system with a rapidly oscillating pivot point. Using techniques similar in spirit to the methodology of effective field theories, we derive an effective Lagrangian that allows for the systematic computation of corrections to the so-called Kapitza equation. The derivation of the effective potential of the system requires non-trivial matching conditions, which need to be determined order by order in the power-counting of the problem. The convergence behavior of the series is investigated on the basis of high-order results obtained by this method. The results from this analysis can be used to determine the regions of parameter space, in which the inverted position of the pendulum is stable or unstable to high precision.