Particles, cutoffs and inequivalent representations. Fraser and Wallace on quantum field theory

DOI10.1007/S10701-017-0069-4zbMATH Open1385.81029arXiv1701.06500OpenAlexW2582711103WikidataQ98469690 ScholiaQ98469690MaRDI QIDQ1709153FDOQ1709153

Authors: Matthias Egg, Vincent Lam, Andrea Oldofredi 

Publication date: 27 March 2018

Published in: Foundations of Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We critically review the recent debate between Doreen Fraser and David Wallace on the interpretation of quantum field theory, with the aim of identifying where the core of the disagreement lies. We show that, despite appearances, their conflict does not concern the existence of particles or the occurrence of unitarily inequivalent representations. Instead, the dispute ultimately turns on the very definition of what a quantum field theory is. We further illustrate the fundamental differences between the two approaches by comparing them both to the Bohmian program in quantum field theory.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1701.06500

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zbMATH Keywords

renormalizationparticle physicsalgebraic quantum field theoryunitarily inequivalent representations

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Axiomatic quantum field theory; operator algebras (81T05) Other elementary particle theory in quantum theory (81V25) Applications of selfadjoint operator algebras to physics (46L60)

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Cited In (4)

• Are Rindler quanta real? Inequivalent particle concepts in quantum field theory
• Emergence without limits: the case of phonons
• Simulating Nelsonian quantum field theory
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