The nature of virtual photons in quantum electrodynamics

[Sophrosyne]

TL;DR Summary

Why do we call the virtual photons in quantum electrodynamics photons?

In quantum electrodynamics, the energy exchange between two charged particles is called a virtual photon, allowing the exchange of quanta of energy between the two charged particles. But these are not the traditional photons of electromagnetic waves. They apparently just arise from the equations of QFT, and are called "virtual".

But why call these "photons"? It seems it creates some confusion. Could they even theoretically be an as of yet unidentified type of boson?

 

[strangerep]

[...] virtual photons [...]

STOP.

Please read this Insight and this one before proceeding.

Could they even theoretically be an as of yet unidentified type of boson?

No.

 

[Sophrosyne]

This is fine, Thank you for the links- I will study them. But I could do without the funny faces. I am a beginner sincerely trying to learn this stuff, and I don't need the snark. If you can't teach beginners without it don't hang out here.

 

[PeterDonis]

could do without the funny faces. I am a beginner sincerely trying to learn this stuff, and I don't need the snark. If you can't teach beginners without it don't hang out here.

Please note, if you think someone else's post violates the forum rules (and we have a rule about being civil with other members), please don't respond in kind in the thread. Use the "Report" button to bring the post to the attention of the moderators.

 

[PeterDonis]

They apparently just arise from the equations of QFT

They arise from the equations of QFT for the electromagnetic field. That's why they are called virtual photons and not virtual something else. You can have virtual other things (such as virtual gluons or virtual weak bosons), but they will arise from the equations of QFT for other fields, not the electromagnetic field.

 

[Sophrosyne]

They arise from the equations of QFT for the electromagnetic field. That's why they are called virtual photons and not virtual something else. You can have virtual other things (such as virtual gluons or virtual weak bosons), but they will arise from the equations of QFT for other fields, not the electromagnetic field.

OK this makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much!

 

[bhobba]

OK this makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much!

Thank you very much for coming here to seek help in understanding QM and QFT. We really do appreciate people trusting us.

Your question is a common one, and one of our science advisers, also a professor of physics, just so you know its a very reliable source, has written a paper about this and other common 'questions':
https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0609163

Thanks
Bill