quantum field theory
Noun
Meaning
the branch of quantum physics that is concerned with the theory of fields; it was motivated by the question of how an atom radiates light as its electrons jump from excited states
Source: WordNetSynonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Examples
The problem is that replacement of Quantum Mechanics by Quantum Field Theory is still very demanding.
What we live in, unfortunately, is a time when we are infected by what I call quantum field theory idolatry.
When I was at Berkeley, the framework of quantum field theory could calculate the dynamics of electromagnetism. It could roughly describe the motion of the weak nuclear force, radiation. But it hit a brick wall with the strong interaction, the binding force.
Ultimately, my Ph.D. is in mathematical physics, focusing on quantum field theory and curved space-time, and I worked with Stephen Hawking.
According to our present understanding, the electromagnetic field itself is produced by photons, which in turn result from a local gauge symmetry and the laws of quantum field theory (see the Second quantization and Gauge boson sections below).
Additionally, the notion that it is possible to measure "physical quantities" comes into question, particular in quantum field theory and normalization techniques.