The Elementary Particles of Quantum Fields (original) (raw)
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Particles in Quantum Field Theory
The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Physics, 2022
The consensus view among philosophers of physics is that relativistic quantum field theory (QFT) does not describe particles. That is, according to QFT, particles are not fundamental entities. How is this negative conclusion compatible with the positive role that the particle notion plays in particle physics? The first part of this chapter lays out multiple lines of negative argument that all conclude that QFT cannot be given a particle interpretation. These arguments probe the properties of the ‘particles’ in standard formulations of QFT and the limited applicability of ‘particle’ representations. The second part of the chapter surveys proposals for nonfundamental roles that the particle concept plays in particle physics. The conclusion suggests directions for future philosophical research.
The facets of relativistic quantum field theory
The European Physical Journal H, 2011
Relativistic quantum field theory is generally recognized to form the adequate theoretical frame for subatomic physics, with the Standard Model of Particle Physics as a major achievement. We point out that quantum field theory in its present form is not a monolithic theory, but rather consists of distinct facets, which aim at a common ideal goal. We give a short overview of the strengths and limitations of these facets. We emphasize the theory-dependent relation between the quantum fields, and the basic objects in the empirical domain, the particles. Given the marked conceptual differences between the facets, we argue to view these, and therefore also the Standard Model, as symbolic constructions. We finally note that this view of physical theories originated in the 19th century and is related to the emergence of the classical field as an autonomous concept.
There are no particles, there are only fields
American Journal of Physics, 2013
Quantum foundations are still unsettled, with mixed effects on science and society. By now it should be possible to obtain consensus on at least one issue: Are the fundamental constituents fields or particles? As this paper shows, experiment and theory imply unbounded fields, not bounded particles, are fundamental. This is especially clear for relativistic systems, implying it's also true of non-relativistic systems. Particles are epiphenomena arising from fields. Thus the Schroedinger field is a space-filling physical field whose value at any spatial point is the probability amplitude for an interaction to occur at that point. The field for an electron is the electron; each electron extends over both slits in the 2-slit experiment and spreads over the entire pattern; and quantum physics is about interactions of microscopic systems with the macroscopic world rather than just about measurements. It's important to clarify this issue because textbooks still teach a particles-and measurement-oriented interpretation that contributes to bewilderment among students and pseudoscience among the public. This article reviews classical and quantum fields, the 2-slit experiment, rigorous theorems showing particles are inconsistent with relativistic quantum theory, and several phenomena showing particles are incompatible with quantum field theories.
Quantum Field Theory: Where We Are
Lecture Notes in Physics, 2007
We comment on the present status, the concepts and their limitations, and the successes and open problems of the various approaches to a relativistic quantum theory of elementary particles, with a hindsight to questions concerning quantum gravity and string theory.
Relativistic Particle Theories Without Canonical Quantization
arXiv: Quantum Physics, 2018
The diffculties of relativistic particle theories formulated my means of canonical quantization, such as Klein-Gordon and Dirac theories, ultimately led theoretical physicists to turn on quantum field theory to model elementary particle physics. The aim of the present work is to pursue a method alternative to canonical quantization that avoids these dfficulties. In order to guarantee this result, the present approach is constrained to be developed deductively from physical principles. The physical principles assumed for a free particle consist of the symmetry properties of the particle with respect to the Poincar\'e group and of the transformation properties of the position observable, expressed by means of a suitably conceived notion of quantum transformation. In so doing, the effectiveness of group theoretical methods is exploited. Our work has pointed out the necessity of new classes of irreducible representations of the Poincar\'e group the theory can be based on. For sp...
Nuovo cimento della Societa italiana di fisica. B, Relativity, classical and statistical physics, 2005
A realistic physical axiomatic approach of the relativistic quantum field theory is presented. Following the action principle of Schwinger, a covariant and general formulation is obtained. The correspondence principle is not invoked and the commutation relations are not postulated but deduced. The most important theorems such as spin-statistics, and CPT are proved. The theory is constructed form the notion of basic field and system of basic fields. In comparison with others formulations, in our realistic approach fields are regarded as real things with symmetry properties. Finally, the general structure is contrasted with other formulations.
2012
Steps towards the axiomatic foundations of the relativistic quantum
Advanced Concepts in Particle and Field Theory
2015
Uniting the usually distinct areas of particle physics and quantum field theory, gravity and general relativity, this expansive and comprehensive textbook of fundamental and theoretical physics describes the quest to consolidate the basic building blocks of nature, by journeying through contemporary discoveries in the field, and analysing elementary particles and their interactions. Designed for advanced undergraduates and graduate students and abounding in worked examples and detailed derivations, as well as including historical anecdotes and philosophical and methodological perspectives, this textbook provides students with a unified understanding of all matter at the fundamental level. Topics range from gauge principles, particle decay and scattering cross-sections, the Higgs mechanism and mass generation, to spacetime geometries and supersymmetry. By combining historically separate areas of study and presenting them in a logically consistent manner, students will appreciate the ...