Qft Definition and 980 Threads

In particle physics, the history of quantum field theory starts with its creation by Paul Dirac, when he attempted to quantize the electromagnetic field in the late 1920s. Major advances in the theory were made in the 1940s and 1950s, and led to the introduction of renormalized quantum electrodynamics (QED). QED was so successful and accurately predictive that efforts were made to apply the same basic concepts for the other forces of nature. By the late 1970s, these efforts successfully utilized gauge theory in the strong nuclear force and weak nuclear force, producing the modern standard model of particle physics.
Efforts to describe gravity using the same techniques have, to date, failed. The study of quantum field theory is still flourishing, as are applications of its methods to many physical problems. It remains one of the most vital areas of theoretical physics today, providing a common language to several different branches of physics.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. A

    Exploring the Hilbert Space of QFT

    Hi everyone. Many texts when describing QFT start immediately discussing about free field theories, Fock spaces etc.. I want to understand general properties of the Hilbert space, and how to find a basis of it, and how to find a particle interpretation. I know there are very mathematical...
  2. W

    Time as Parameter in QM vs Coordinate in QFT

    According to Peterdonis in an old thread According to Matterwave in https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=573589 msg #11: Peterdonis said Time is a parameter in non-relativistic QM while as a coordinate in relativistic QM/QFT. But Matterwave said parameter and coordinate has...
  3. R

    Smeared quantum fields in everyday QFT

    "Smeared" quantum fields in everyday QFT Hello everyone. I have a question regarding algebraic QFT. I read that, in order to avoid ill-defined, divergent expressions like the mode expansions for spacetime-dependent field operators φ(x), one starts from the (Wightman?) axioms, using...
  4. T

    QFT as pilot-wave theory of particle creation and destruction

    There is this paper that someone posted in a thread: http://arxiv.org/abs/0904.2287 Called "QFT as pilot-wave theory of particle creation and destruction" Which talks mainly about Bohmian interpretations applied to QFT (the whole paper is in QFT scheme). However, in chapter 3, it talks...
  5. F

    Does Clifford algebra solve both QFT and GR

    I noticed a few sources that seem to indicate that Clifford algebra may be used in both QFT and GR. I've seen where the Clifford algebra is a type of associative algebra that generalizes the real numbers, complex numbers, quaternions, and octonions, see Wikipedia on Clifford Algebra. And I've...
  6. J

    Is the Hydrogen Atom Stable in Relativistic Quantum Theory?

    If I may, I would like to give this question another try, especially if guys with some cabala in QFT can address it. Is it possible to show in the relativistic quantum theory, that the hydrogen atom is stable? (Electron will not fall onto the proton)? I explain. In the non-relativistic...
  7. W

    Lagrangian vs Hamiltonian in QFT vs QM

    In QFT, Lagrangian is often mentioned. While in QM, it's the Hamiltonian, Is the direct answer because in QFT "position" of particle is focused on and Lagrangian is mostly about position and coordinate while in QM, potential is mostly focus on and Hamiltonian is mostly about potential and...
  8. K

    Bosons and Fermions in a rigorous QFT

    I'm wondering, is there still a sharp distinction between Bosons and Fermions in a rigorous QFT, if exsits? My question is motivated by the following, consider one of the equations of motion of QED: \partial_\nu F^{\nu \mu} = e \bar{\psi} \gamma^\mu \psi In our familiar perturbative QED (Here...
  9. N

    A question in QFT book of Peskin&Schoeder?

    Please teach me this: In the book writing: ...consider the color invariant: (t^{a})_{ij}(t^{a})_{kl}(18.38).The indices i,k transform according to to 3 representation of color; the indices j,l transform according to 3^{-}.Thus,(18.38) must be a linear combination of the two possible way to...
  10. E

    Whats the difference between reflection and scattering of photon? (QFT)

    Just read Feynmen's QFT and been wondering the difference between photon reflection by a perfect mirror and photon scatter by say a rough surface. In both cases, photons are said to be absorbed by electrons and re-emitted. But in reflection case, photons get to "preserve" its wave...
  11. W

    Exploring Alternatives to QFT: A Critique of Non-Interacting Quantum Fields

    To people familiar with QFT. You know quantum fields are non-interacting and they use perturbations methods. Is there other studies or programme that would replace conventional QFT with full fledged interacting quantum fields? Also about Second Quantization where they treat the Klein-Gorden...
  12. W

    Understanding QFT vs QM: A Beginner's Guide to the Differences and Similarities

    I'm trying to understand the basics of convensional QFT versus QM. There are too many books about QM in the introductory level for layman but too rare for QFT. But the public needs to be adept about QFT too not just particle-wave duality, entanglement and other attractions in QM. Let's start...
  13. M

    What is the role of fields in Quantum Field Theory (QFT)?

    Hi, I have just started to try to understand some ‘basic’ quantum field theory (QFT), if this is even possible, but not sure that I have any real understanding of the scope of the fields implied within the QFT model. As such, the following description may be completely wrong, but may serve as a...
  14. A

    Question on particles/fields in QFT

    Hello, I've been reading a book on QFT (specifically, Atchison and Hey) and they say that a classical field can be expanded into an integral of harmonic oscillators. When you quantize the scalar field \phi, it becomes an operator. Now, this is an infinite number of quantum oscillators. Do...
  15. LarryS

    How Does QFT Describe or Predict the Position of a Particle?

    From what little I have read about QFT, apparently the position of a particle is not a observable - it is more like an index for a collection of quantum harmonic oscillators. Thus there is no QFT equivalent to the position probability density in QM. So, how does QFT predict or describe a...
  16. A

    Good Books for QFT and its prerequisites

    Hello, I'm thinking of starting to study some QFT. I know EM and QM on the level of the first part of Griffiths' books on the subject, and I know (classical) mechanics on the level of Marion & Thornton/Taylor, and I know GR on the level of Schutz/Hartle. Are there a few topics in these areas...
  17. S

    Solving QFT Commutator: Getting Unstuck with Quantum Field Theory

    solving for commutator in QFT I am just starting to learn quantum field theory. I'm still an undergraduate but I love particle physics and I want to get ahead, so I got the book "introduction to quantum field theory by peskin and schroeder" I got to page 21 and I'm already stuck at an integral...
  18. J

    QFT with respect to general relativity

    After recently researching about Quantum Field Theory and more specifically gravitons, I am slightly confused with how this theory of the gravitational force fits in with general relativity. I know it hasn't disproved it so there must be some connection. Do gravitons in 11 dimensions cause...
  19. H

    QFT Signature: Does it Have its Own Unique Formula?

    By looking at some physical formula and noticing various symbols like c and hbar, one can immediately say that the formula in question describes relativistic / quantum effects and not classical. What about QFT? Is there any way one can, only by looking at the formula, say that it's a product of...
  20. Matterwave

    How does the commutator of fields relate to causality?

    In Peskin and Schroeder, we calculate that the propagator D(x-y)=\langle 0|\phi(x)\phi(y)|0\rangle to be non zero even if x and y are space-like separated (although it's exponentially decaying). This suggests (given our interpretation of this quantity) that a particle CAN propagate between these...
  21. P

    QFT books that discuss Infra-red dimensional regularization?

    I learned QFT by reading Peskin & Schroeder, and now find myself unfamiliar with dimensional regularization of IR divergences which is prevalent in the literature. Are there good QFT books which discusses IR dim. reg.? I understand the general idea of going to more than 4 dimensions as opposed...
  22. L

    Proving Shouten identity in QFT

    Hi, I'm trying to prove the Shouten identity for twistors: \langle pq\rangle\langle rs\rangle+\langle pr\rangle\langle sq\rangle+\langle ps\rangle\langle qr\rangle=0 It's easy to show that the LHS here is cyclically symmetric under q\to r\to s \to q, and also completely antisymmetric...
  23. N

    Why does Lagrangian in QFT only include first order derivative of field?

    Please teach me this: Why the Lagrangian in QFT does not include high order derivative of field?Is it correct the reason being all fields obey the only Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations? Thank you very much for your kind helping.
  24. N

    Why saying Quantum Mechanics is pillar of QFT?

    Please teach me this: Why they say QM is a pillar of QFT?Is it correct it is because of the operator of field obeys the Dirac or Klein-Gordon equation of QM?Is the value of fields(not operator of fields) being the wave function in QM?I do not understand why we can consider QFT including QM...
  25. F

    What is the Principle of Cluster Decomposition in Quantum Field Theory?

    Recently a student brought the following to my attention from Weinberg’s Quantum Theory of Fields, Volume I, from page 177, which I must admit that it stumped me. Here Weinberg introduces the concept of Cluster Decomposition: “It is one of the fundamental principles of physics (indeed, of all...
  26. P

    Is Feynman's QFT Unitarity Issue Resolved?

    From Richard Feynman's Nobel Prize Speech. It must be clearly understood that in all this work, I was representing the conventional electrodynamics with retarded interaction, and not my half-advanced and half-retarded theory corresponding to (1). I merely use (1) to guess at forms. And, one...
  27. J

    Proving the Lorentz invariance of an integration measure? QFT related?

    So, first off, I'm thinking Lorentz invariant quantities are the same in any inertial frames S and S' regardless of their relative velocity. I'm thinking I need to show that \frac{d^3k}{(2\pi)^32E(\vec{k})} = \frac{d^3k'}{(2\pi)^32E'(\vec{k'})} where the primed & unprimed quantities denote...
  28. aleazk

    Calculation in Peskin&Schroeder QFT book

    Hi, i can't get the result stated as equation (2.33) in page 22. To be more clear, after the elimination of the divergent commutator, i still have two extra terms that i don't know how to cancel out. the total extra term is ap.a(-p)-a^+(-p).a^+p. :confused:
  29. N

    Why QFT is asymptotic theory but still being very useful?

    Please teach me this: Why perturbative QFT is still very useful theory?.Because perturbative QFT is asymptotic theory,so in many cases the series do not converge,then the error might be very large. Thank you very much for your kind helping.
  30. M

    Empirical success of non-pert methods in QFT?

    Someone said at a conference today that there was no empirical support whatsoever for the idea that non-perturbative methods could be successfully applied in QFT. Does anyone know any counterexamples to this claim? I don't work in this area, but it sure doesn't sound right to me... Any...
  31. R

    Weinberg QFT p.65-66: Orthonormality of States with Momentum k

    Homework Statement He says "choose the states with standard momentum k to be orthonormal", does he mean for example state with momentum (0,0,0,M1) and with momentum (0,0,0,M2) to be orthogonal or states with the same k^2 to be orthogonal if they have different k? Also where he calculates in...
  32. J

    Polarization 4-vectors to get matrix element in QFT

    I'm working through the start of the Quantum Field Theory book by Peskin and Schroeder. The first section deals with an electron and positron colliding to give a positive and negative muon traveling along a line at an angle theta to the line of the e,p collision.(This is using center of mass...
  33. P

    What Are the Best Conceptual Resources for Understanding Quantum Field Theory?

    I am looking for books or papers that explain conceptual ideas that underlie the study of quantum fields. I am looking for something that clearly explains Field measurement. Most textbooks i am aware of emphasize on the development of formal techniques of Quantum field theory.
  34. T

    How do I move from QM to QFT and beyond?

    Hi, I have now finished University where I took an advanced quantum mechanics module in my final undergraduate year. Having left I was quite surprised to find out that this is infact only a grounding in the subject and I would like to know more. I have covered operators and the Hamiltonian...
  35. LarryS

    Position Representation in QFT?

    I have read that, in QFT, unlike QM, there is no position probability density function because position is not considered an observable. Then how is a position measurement represented/modeled in QFT? As always, thanks in advance.
  36. N

    Preparing for Masters QFT & GR Classes: Advice Needed

    I'll be taking a first course in quantum field theory and general relativity this fall at the masters level and I have a few weeks until I start. I was wondering if anybody had some advice on what to brush up or even self-teach before I'm neck deep in them (on top of other classes) so I can be a...
  37. H

    QFT: Understanding Creation & Destruction Operators

    Hello! Im trying to do QFT on my own and its going fine.. except one confusion now. We have our operator fields corresponding to our observables, and our state which is a function of space and time. But doing the second quantization we get the creation and destruction operators which now...
  38. W

    A question about normal ordering (regarding Weinberg's QFT Vol 1. p. 200)

    In the lower part of page 200 in his book, Weinberg says that any normal-ordered function of the fields can be expressed as a sum of ordinary products of the fields with c-number coefficients. I don't quite see this. A field can be decomposed in terms of parts that contain either only creation...
  39. X

    Programs Do I have a good math sequence for a Physics Major who want to go into QFT

    I like to plan ahead so as of now I basically have a good idea what my schedule will be like for all 4 year of college. I want to go into QFT eventually so I think the math classes I have decided to take will be best for that. They are Multivariable calculus( freshmen year 1st semester) Half a...
  40. S

    Weinberg QFT I: Lorentz Transformation with interaction

    Hi, a few lines below equation (3.1.5) Weinberg writes: "The transformation rule (3.1.1) is only possible for particles that for one reason or another are not interacting." I thought a lot about it, but don't see any possible reason. Can you help please? After a few lines he defines...
  41. Y

    Are there any book can serve as the companion book to Peskin's QFT?

    Hi, guys. I will start learning Peskin's QFT from the coming fall semester. I plan to spend 2 years for studying in order to strike a thorough understanding of QFT. Peskin's QFT book in general is a good one, but it focus on calculation techniques; thus, I think I need a companion book which...
  42. V

    What is generating functional and vacuum-to-vacuum boundary conditions in QFT?

    Hello everyone :) I'm reading the book QFT - L. H. Ryder, and I don't understand clearly what are the generating functional Z[J] and vacuum-to-vacuum boundary conditions? Help me, please >"<
  43. N

    Why do they only consider S-matrix in QFT?

    Please teach me this: Why do they only consider S-matrix(or Green functions) in Quantum Field Theory?How about other physics observations as considering in normal Quantum Mechanics,e.g angular momentum...of particles?If we consider the other physical observations,how could we represent them in...
  44. M

    Virtual particle propagators in QFT

    I am reading a nice book (Quarks and Leptons, by Halzen and Martin) about particle physics. It states that the general form of the propagator of a virtual particle is: \dfrac{i\sum_{\text{spins}}}{p^2 - m^2} I see that this is the case for the Dirac propagator...
  45. M

    Recommended Texts for Self-Studying QFT?

    I'd like to learn QFT on my own, what's the best text for that? Srednicki's? what do people think of QFT demystifyed? thanks
  46. M

    Ryder QFT 2nd ed. page 341 misprint?

    Eq. 9.124 has 3 steps. The first one gives 0 propagator for ε goes to 0. The final step, the one with Z gives infinity. Can anyone post the correct steps? Is there anything wrong in previews equations? It is important for me to learn the Ryder's book method. I have an exam in 10 days
  47. N

    Calculations with Weyl Spinor Indices in QFT

    Homework Statement The task is to show the invariance of a given Lagrangian (http://www.fysast.uu.se/~leupold/qft-2011/tasks.pdf" ), but my problem is just in one step (which i got from Peskin & Schröder, page 70) which i can not reproduce due to my lack of knowledge regarding spinors. The...
  48. G01

    QFT- Compton Scattering Crossection

    Homework Statement I'm working through the derivation of the Compton scattering crossection and I'm getting stuck partway through. More details below: Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution So, I'm following along with Zee section II.8. We have two diagrams that contribute to order...
  49. D

    Does QFT cover theoretical particle physics?

    There's a course at my institution called "Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics." I know it covers a lot of the experimental methods, but it also goes through theoretical topics like isospin/SU(2), quark model/SU(3), charm/beauty, etc., using the proper mathematical machinery (Lie...
  50. S

    Exploring Quantum Mechanics & QFT in Curved Spacetime: Latest Research Updates

    Hi PF I know that a goal of the current research in High Energy physics is to get a describtion of QFT in curved spacetime. I assume this has yet to be described fully, but how about plain quantum mechanics in curved spacetime? Has it yet been described? Schreiber
Back
Top