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<p></p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Quantum book backlink|Timeline}}<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Physics:Quantum field theory (QFT) basics|Quantum field theory]]&#039;&#039;&#039; (QFT) is a framework in [[Physics:Quantum theoretical physics|theoretical physics]] that combines [[Physics:Quantum field theory (QFT) core|field theory]], [[Physics:Quantum special relativity|special relativity]], and [[Physics:Quantum mechanics|quantum mechanics]].&lt;ref name=&quot;peskin&quot;&gt;{{cite book |last1=Peskin |first1=M. |last2=Schroeder |first2=D. |year=1995 |title=An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory |publisher=Westview Press |isbn=978-0-201-50397-5 }}&lt;/ref&gt;{{rp|xi}} It forms the foundation of modern [[Physics:Quantum particle|particle physics]] and underlies the [[Physics:Quantum Standard Model|Standard Model of particle physics]].<br /> <br /> [[File:Quantum_field_diagram_yellow_bg.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Visualization of quantum fields: particles arise as excitations of underlying fields.]]<br /> <br /> == Introduction ==<br /> Quantum field theory extends [[Physics:Quantum mechanics|quantum mechanics]] to systems consistent with relativity. Instead of particles alone, physical reality is described in terms of fields, whose excitations correspond to particles. This framework allows the creation and annihilation of particles and successfully describes three of the four fundamental interactions.<br /> <br /> == Early development (1920s–1940s) ==<br /> The origins of QFT lie in attempts to describe interactions between [[Physics:Quantum photon|light]] and [[Physics:Quantum atoms/electron|electron]]s. In 1927, [[Biography:Paul Dirac|Paul Dirac]] formulated [[Physics:Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)|quantum electrodynamics]] (QED), the first quantum field theory, explaining emission and absorption of radiation.<br /> <br /> A major challenge emerged: calculations produced infinities. These difficulties temporarily cast doubt on the validity of QFT.<br /> <br /> == Renormalization and QED (1940s–1950s) ==<br /> A breakthrough came with the development of [[Physics:Quantum Renormalization in field theory|renormalization]], allowing infinities to be systematically removed. Key contributors included [[Biography:Julian Schwinger|Julian Schwinger]], [[Biography:Richard Feynman|Richard Feynman]], and [[Biography:Shinichiro Tomonaga|Shinichiro Tomonaga]].<br /> <br /> Feynman introduced [[Physics:Quantum Feynman diagrams|Feynman diagrams]], providing a visual and computational method for particle interactions. QED became one of the most precise theories in physics.<br /> <br /> == Gauge theories and unification (1950s–1970s) ==<br /> The development of [[Physics:Quantum Field Theory Gauge symmetry|gauge theory]] extended QFT beyond electromagnetism. In 1954, [[Biography:Chen-Ning Yang|Chen-Ning Yang]] and [[Biography:Robert Mills (physicist)|Robert Mills]] introduced [[Physics:Quantum Non-Abelian gauge theory|non-Abelian gauge theories]].<br /> <br /> In the 1960s, [[Biography:Sheldon Glashow|Sheldon Glashow]], [[Biography:Abdus Salam|Abdus Salam]], and [[Biography:Steven Weinberg|Steven Weinberg]] developed the [[Physics:Quantum Electroweak theory|electroweak theory]], unifying electromagnetic and weak interactions. The introduction of [[Physics:Quantum spontaneous symmetry breaking|spontaneous symmetry breaking]] and the [[Physics:Quantum Higgs boson|Higgs boson]] allowed particles to acquire mass.<br /> <br /> == Quantum chromodynamics and the Standard Model (1970s) ==<br /> The strong interaction was described by [[Physics:Quantum chromodynamics (QCD)|quantum chromodynamics]] (QCD), a gauge theory based on the symmetry group SU(3). Discoveries such as [[Physics:Quantum asymptotic freedom|asymptotic freedom]] by [[Biography:David Gross|David Gross]], [[Biography:Frank Wilczek|Frank Wilczek]], and [[Biography:Hugh David Politzer|Hugh David Politzer]] enabled accurate high-energy predictions.<br /> <br /> Together, QED, electroweak theory, and QCD form the [[Physics:Quantum Standard Model|Standard Model of particle physics]], which successfully describes all known fundamental interactions except gravity.<br /> <br /> == Modern developments ==<br /> Quantum field theory continues to evolve. It is applied in:<br /> * [[Physics:Quantum Condensed matter and solid-state physics|condensed matter physics]]<br /> * [[Physics:Quantum gravity|quantum gravity]] research<br /> * [[Physics:Quantum string theory|string theory]]<br /> <br /> Despite its success, challenges remain, including the incorporation of gravity and establishing full mathematical rigor.<br /> <br /> =See also=<br /> {{#invoke:PhysicsQC|tocHeadingAndList|Physics:Quantum basics/See also}}<br /> <br /> == References ==<br /> {{reflist|3}}<br /> <br /> {{Author|Harold Foppele}}<br /> {{Sourceattribution|Physics:Quantum field theory|1}}</div>

imported>WikiHarold