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Ratzinger
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I read somewhere that quantum field theory does not allow calculations and predictions of bound states in a satisfactory way. Is that true and how much is that a problem given that qft claims to be so fundamental?
wangyi said:But in bound states with strong interaction, as a bound state is a low energy state(~MeV), the strong interaction becomes so strong that perturbation theory breaks down in any sense. So we can't use common QFT method to calculate hardon mass, etc.
But we do have some approaches to settle this problem, e.g. lattice QCD, but the solution is far from exact.
QFT stands for Quantum Field Theory, which is a theoretical framework used to describe the behavior of particles and their interactions. Bound states are systems in which two or more particles are bound together by a strong force. QFT is important for studying bound states because it allows us to calculate the properties and behavior of these systems using mathematical equations derived from fundamental principles of quantum mechanics.
Calculating bound states in QFT is challenging because it involves solving complex mathematical equations that describe the interactions between particles. These equations often have no analytical solutions, meaning they cannot be solved using traditional mathematical methods. Instead, numerical methods and approximations must be used, which can be time-consuming and require high computational power.
Yes, QFT has been successful in predicting the properties of bound states in many cases. However, due to the complexity of the calculations, there may be some uncertainty or error in the predictions. Ongoing research and advancements in computational methods are helping to improve the accuracy of these predictions.
QFT can be used to study a wide range of bound states, including atoms, molecules, and nuclei. It is also applicable to systems in high-energy physics, such as quark-gluon plasmas and particle interactions. QFT can also be extended to study the properties of bound states in more exotic scenarios, such as black holes and the early universe.
Yes, the study of bound states in QFT has many practical applications. For example, understanding the properties and behavior of atoms and molecules is crucial in fields such as chemistry and materials science. In high-energy physics, knowledge of bound states is essential for developing new technologies, such as particle accelerators and medical imaging devices. Additionally, research on bound states can also lead to a better understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.