A quantum field theory of crystals. IV

Toyoyuki Kitamura

Toyoyuki Kitamura

Toyoyuki Kitamura, Hiroomi Umezawa

В. А. Головко

Tian Yu Cao

Introduction: Conceptual issues in quantum field theory Part I. Philosophers' Interests in Quantum Field Theory: 1. Why are we philosophers interested in quantum field theory 2. Quantum field theory and the philosopher Part II. Three Approaches to the Foundations of Quantum Field Theory: 3. The usefulness of a general theory of quantized fields 4. Effective field theory in condensed matter physics 5. The triumph and limitations of quantum field theory 6. Comments Discussions Part III. Does Quantum Field Theory Need a Foundation: 7. Does quantum field theory need a foundation? Part IV. Mathematics, Statistical Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory: 8. Renormalization group theory: its basis and formulation in statistical physics 9. Where does quantum field theory fit into the big picture? 10. The unreasonable effectiveness of quantum field theory 11. Comment: the quantum field theory of physics and of mathematics Part V. Quantum Field Theory and Spacetime: Introduction 12. Quantum field theory and spacetime: formalism and reality 13. Quantum field theory of geometry 14. 'Localization' in quantum field theory: how much of QFT is compatible with what we know about spacetime 15. Comments VI. 16. What is quantum field theory and what did we think it was? 17. Comments Discussions Part VII.Renormalization Group: 18. What is fundamental physics? A renormalization group perspective 19. Renormalization group: an interesting yet puzzling idea Part VIII. Non-Abelian Gauge Theory: 20. Gauge fields, gravity and Bohm's theory 21. Is the Aharonov-Bohm effect local? Discussions Part IX. The Ontology of Particles or Fields: 22. The ineliminable classical face of quantum field theory 23. The logic of quanta 24. Do Feynman diagrams endorse a particle ontology? 25. On the ontology of QFT Part X. Panel Discussion.

T. Rick Perche

This is an updated version of my PhD thesis, defended at the University of Waterloo on the 2nd of April 2025, uploaded to the ArXiv with the goal of reaching a wider audience. The thesis is divided into 5 chapters, respectively containing (I) a brief introduction to local quantum field theory (QFT), (II) a description of local probes in QFT, (III) a discussion of entanglement in QFT and how to probe it, (IV) a description of the regimes where QFT interactions can be approximated by direct interactions, and (V) a discussion the information about the geometry of spacetime contained in quantum fields. The partial goal of this thesis is to serve as a guide for students aiming to tackle these different research programs. If the reader is interested in pursuing one or more research projects detailed here, they are encouraged to contact me for collaboration in these topics.