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Quantum field theory (QFT) is the application of quantum mechanics to fields. It provides a theoretical framework, widely used in particle physics and condensed matter physics, in which to formulate consistent quantum theories of many-particle systems, especially in situations where particles may be created and destroyed. Non-relativistic quantum field theories are needed in condensed matter physics— for example in the BCS theory of superconductivity. Relativistic quantum field theories are indispensable in particle physics (see the standard model), although they are known to arise as effective field theories in condensed matter physics.
Origin
Quantum field theory originated in the problem of computing the energy radiated by an atom when it dropped from one quantum state to another of lower energy. This problem was first examined by Max Born and Pascual Jordan in 1925. In 1926, Max Born, Werner Heisenberg and Pascual Jordan wrote down the quantum theory of the electromagnetic field neglecting polarization and sources to obtain what would today be called a free field theory. In order to quantize this theory, they used the canonical quantization procedure. In 1927, Paul Dirac gave the first consistent treatment of this problem. Quantum field theory followed unavoidably from a quantum treatment of the only known classical field, ie, electromagnetism. The theory was required by the need to treat a situation where the number of particles changes. Here, one atom in the initial state becomes an atom and a photon in the final state.
It was obvious from the beginning that the quantum treatment of the electromagnetic field required a proper treatment of relativity. Jordan and Wolfgang Pauli showed in 1928 that commutators of the field were actually Lorentz invariant. By 1933, Niels Bohr and Leon Rosenfeld had related these commutation relations to a limitation on the ability to measure fields at space-like separation. The development of the Dirac equation and the hole theory drove quantum field theory to explain these using the ideas of causality in relativity, work that was completed by Wendell Furry and Robert Oppenheimer using methods developed for this purpose by Vladimir Fock. This need to put together relativity and quantum mechanics was a second motivation which drove the development of quantum field theory. This thread was crucial to the eventual development of particle physics and the modern (partially) unified theory of forces called the standard model.
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Today I got ,,Quantum Field Theory demystified'' -- but I have no clue about Quantum Mechanics. :) So just ordered the other book as well!
root42 (Arne Schmitz) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:29:47 -0000
Today I got ,,Quantum Field Theory demystified'' -- but I have no clue about Quantum Mechanics. :) So just ordered the other book as well!
About to go work on some quantum field theory - so not working for me atm...
Rachaelmorris86 (Rachael Morris) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:16:58 -0000
About to go work on some quantum field theory - so not working for me atm...
Readers' Digest Condensed Guide to Quantum Field Theory class is over now. So *that's* what Feynman was diagramming. Cool!
loriannwhite (Lori Ann White) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:51:24 -0000
Readers' Digest Condensed Guide to Quantum Field Theory class is over now. So *that's* what Feynman was diagramming. Cool!
Course published: 8.323 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I, Spring 2008 | http://bit.ly/6pxB6z
mitocw (MIT OpenCourseWare) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:10:30 -0000
Course published: 8.323 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I, Spring 2008 | http://bit.ly/6pxB6z
First, complex variables, topology, complex analysis, quantum field theory, string theory, then the magical Qabalah. Vicodin comes into play
VastFace (Justin Nomura) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:34:25 -0000
First, complex variables, topology, complex analysis, quantum field theory, string theory, then the magical Qabalah. Vicodin comes into play
@sc_k We get a break starting next weekend and pick back up on the 4th. I'll be glad for a few days without quantum field theory...
cgranade (Chris Granade) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:31:25 -0000
@sc_k We get a break starting next weekend and pick back up on the 4th. I'll be glad for a few days without quantum field theory...
Net Advance in Physics - Quantum Field Theory -
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Warren Seigel - a Professor at C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, State University of New York, Stony Brook, Long Island, he's not content just to study the relationships between string theory and particle theory, but also to write goofy essays, and maintain this Web site.
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