Does a Quantum Field Creation Operator Create Particles at a Given Location?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the quantum field creation operator, specifically the expression $$\Psi^{\dagger}(\mathbf r) = \sum\limits_{\mathbf k} e^{-i\mathbf k\cdot \mathbf r} a^{\dagger}_{\mathbf k}$$ and its action on the vacuum state. The initial assumption that this operator creates a particle at a specific location is challenged by the realization that the correct expansion for the position eigenstate is $$|\mathbf r\rangle = \sum\limits_{\mathbf k} e^{-i\mathbf k\cdot \mathbf r} |\mathbf k\rangle$$ rather than the previously stated form. This correction clarifies the relationship between the creation operator and the position eigenstates, resolving the confusion regarding the delta function representation.

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Hi,
It appears that the definition of a quantum field creation operator is given by $$\Psi^{\dagger}(\mathbf r) = \sum\limits_{\mathbf k} e^{-i\mathbf k\cdot \mathbf r} a^{\dagger}_{\mathbf k}.$$

But then if we examine how this operator acts on the vacuum state, we get $$\Psi^{\dagger}(\mathbf r) |vac\rangle = \sum\limits_{\mathbf k} e^{-i\mathbf k\cdot \mathbf r} |\mathbf k\rangle.$$

I thought this operator was supposed to create a particle at the given location, but we also have $$|\mathbf r\rangle = \sum\limits_{\mathbf k} e^{i\mathbf k\cdot \mathbf r} |\mathbf k\rangle.$$

These are both different, so in particular, it won't be the case that $$\langle \mathbf r'| \Psi^{\dagger}(\mathbf r)| vac\rangle = \delta^{(3)}(\mathbf r -\mathbf r ').$$

What went wrong?
 
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Never mind, I figured it out. The expansion of an eigenstate of position should instead be $$|\mathbf r\rangle = \sum\limits_{\mathbf k} e^{-i\mathbf k\cdot \mathbf r} |\mathbf k\rangle.$$
 
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