At the primary level of reality as described by quantum field theory, a fundamental particle like an electron represents a stable, discrete, propagating excited state of its underlying quantum field. QFT also tells us that the lowest vacuum state as well as the excited states of such a field is always very active with spontaneous, unpredictable quantum fluctuations. Also an underlying quantum field is known to be indestructible and immutable possessing the same value in each element of spacetime comprising the universe. These characteristics of the primary quantum fields together with the fact that the quantum fluctuations can be cogently substantiated to be quantum coherent throughout the universe provide a possible ontology of the quantum theory. In this picture, the wave function of a quantum particle represents the reality of the inherent quantum fluctuations at the core of the universe and endows the particle its counter intuitive quantum behavior.
At the primary level of reality as described by quantum field theory, a fundamental particle like an electron represents a stable, discrete, propagating excited state of its underlying quantum field. QFT also tells us that the lowest vacuum state as well as the excited states of such a field is always very active with spontaneous, unpredictable quantum fluctuations. Also an underlying quantum field is known to be indestructible and immutable possessing the same value in each element of spacetime comprising the universe. These characteristics of the primary quantum fields together with the fact that the quantum fluctuations can be cogently substantiated to be quantum coherent throughout the universe provide a possible ontology of the quantum theory. In this picture, the wave function of a quantum particle represents the reality of the inherent quantum fluctuations at the core of the universe and endows the particle its counter intuitive quantum behavior.
Quantum field theory (QFT) can be analyzed in terms of its mathematical structure, its conceptual system for physical descriptions, or its basic ontology. The analysis can be done logically or historically. In this chapter, only the genesis of the conceptual foundations of QFT relevant to its basic ontology will be treated; no discussion of its mathematical structures or its epistemological underpinnings will be given. Some conceptual problems, such as those related to probability and measurement, will be discussed, but only because of their relevance to the basic ontology of QFT, rather than their intrinsic philosophical interest. Here, by basic ontology I mean the irreducible entities that QFT is invented to describe. The often mentioned candidates for the basic ontology of QFT, in fact of the physical world, are the discrete particle and the continuous field. Another possible candidate (the spacetime point) has also been suggested recently (Redhead, 1983). Since the aim of this chapter is to analyze the historical process in which the conceptual foundations of QFT were laid down, rather than the logical structure of QFT which philosophers of the present day treat, no discussion of the last possibility will be given. The content of this chapter involves the formation and interpretation, in a roughly chronological order, of the concepts of the wave function, quantization, quantization of the field, the vacuum, interactions between fields, and renormalization. The first two topics will be discussed in relation to the quantization of the field, with their role being taken as the starting point of the conceptual development of QFT.
The quantum field theory (QFT) is one of branches of the Standard Model. According to QFT, quantum fields are the primary entities and particles are the excitations of these fields, coming in discrete lumps with no inner structures and with properties assigned by declaration. Such view is in conflict with the observed vacuum energy density, 140 orders of magnitudes less than required by the QFT. In addition, such view is challenged by Aphysical Quantum Mechanics (AQM), a deeper quantum theory. According to AQM, the fundamental understanding of quantum reality is expanded by the addition of two fundamental categories, aphysical and elementary consciousness of elementary particles. Based on AQM and as an example, the total ontology of the intrinsic (fundamental) electron is presented with its inner structure of perfect geometry consisting of the physical charged c-ring and aphysical cylinder, and with its properties such as self-mass, spin, magneto-electrostatic field configuration and magnetic moment. The position parameter in the inner structure demonstrates that there are no two identical intrinsic electrons in the Universe thus placing a question mark over the QFT principle of indistinguishability.
This preprint presents a field-first interpretation of wave-particle duality grounded in the ontology of Quantum Field Theory (QFT). The framework treats quantum fields as the fundamental ontology of physical reality, while particles are understood as excitation states of their respective fields. Wave-like phenomena, including interference, diffraction, tunneling, and coherence effects, are interpreted as arising from the propagation and interaction dynamics of these excitations rather than from an independent wave ontology. The central thesis is that wave-particle duality does not represent two distinct physical realities, but rather different observational regimes of a single field-based process. Localized interactions appear particle-like, while propagation and interference phenomena appear wave-like. This interpretation is fully consistent with the existing mathematical formalism of Quantum Field Theory and does not introduce new physical laws or modifications to established quantum mechanics. The purpose of this work is interpretive and conceptual. It aims to provide a clearer ontological framework for understanding the relationship between quantum fields, particles, and wave-like behavior while reducing the conceptual ambiguity traditionally associated with wave-particle duality. This document represents the initial preprint release of the field-first interpretation framework.
Quantum field theory is the ultimate expression of quantum mechanics. Its formalism provides the framework for all modern fundamental theories about the nature of matter. However, it involves difficult and intricate mathematics, which is why physics students don’t generally come across it until postgraduate level, and then only if their subject specialism requires the insights that it provides. In ordinary quantum theory, observable properties are represented by Hermitian operators, with eigenstates that form a basis for the expansion of a system’s states. Philosophers have been debating the correctness of such arguments, but now it seems that experimental science has come along and shown that, at the quantum level at least, the objects we study have no substance to them, independent of their properties. In classical physics, interactions between particles can be considered by either an examination of forces or from the potential energies involved.
The primary ingredients of reality are the universal quantum fields, which fluctuate persistently, spontaneously, and randomly. The general perception of the scientific community is that these quantum fluctuations are due to the uncertainty principle. Here, we present cogent arguments to show that the uncertainty principle is a consequence of the quantum fluctuations, but not their cause. This poses a conspicuous enigma as to how the universal fields remain immutable with an expectation value so accurate that it leads to experimental results, which are precise to one part in a trillion. We discuss some reasonable possibilities in the absence of a satisfactory solution to this enigma. Quanta 2023; 12: 190–201.