 Quantum-to-classical imaginary-time mapping

A local $d$-dimensional quantum field at finite temperature can often be represented by an anisotropic classical-looking action in $d+1$ dimensions, with a finite extra imaginary-time extent. The zero-temperature limit makes that extent infinite. A real nonnegative statistical weight is an additional requirement: fermionic signs and imaginary terms can obstruct interpretation as an ordinary classical probability distribution.