Re:What is quantum field theory and why is it incomplete?
by bowsamic on Tuesday August 16, 2022 @02:49AM
(#32479899)
I will try and remember when it is published. The argument is quite strong though in my opinion, basically that photons are simply Fourier-limited modes, so they always deposit energy over a time window according to the uncertainty relation df x dt = pi/4. Also this means they really don't exist as point particles
EDIT: Also it of course references Lamb's paper, which I don't think was badly received afaik, just not really widely considered
Re:What is quantum field theory and why is it incomplete?
by effie on Wednesday August 17, 2022 @05:15AM
(#32494006)
> they always deposit energy over a time window ... Also this means they really don't exist as point particles
I am afraid this is already the orthodox view, despite the suggestive/misleading pictures used when teaching particle physics (e.g. Compton's scattering).
But even the well-informed photon concept where a photon isn't a point, isn't a plane wave, and usually there is indefinite number of them, is quite horrible. I hope some day the status quo will move where we realize that both the hand wavy imprecise photon talk in textbooks/pop-sci books and the sophist "just a figure of speech when we're talking about quantum field" will be abandoned in favor of more accurate technical terms.
I would be interested in this paper. Lamb argued the same, with good intention, but not everybody was impressed.