Path integrals with discarded degrees of freedom

Whenever variables $phi=(phi^1,phi^2,ldots)$ are discarded from a system, and the discarded information capacity $mathcal{S}(x)$ depends on the value of an observable $x$, a quantum correction $Delta V_mathrm{eff}(x)$ appears in the effective potential [arXiv:1707.05789]. Here I examine the origins and implications of $Delta V_mathrm{eff}$ within the path integral, which I construct using Synges world function. I show that the $phi$ variables can be `integrated out of the path integral, reducing the propagator to a sum of integrals over observable paths $x(t)$ alone. The phase of each path is equal to the semiclassical action (divided by $hbar$) including the same correction $Delta V_mathrm{eff}$ as previously derived. This generalises the prior results beyond the limits of the Schrodinger equation; in particular, it allows us to consider discarded variables with a history-dependent information capacity $mathcal{S}=mathcal{S}(x,int^t f(x(t))mathrm{d} t)$. History dependence does not alter the formula for $Delta V_mathrm{eff}$.