How does QFT handle particle creation and conversion?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how Quantum Field Theory (QFT) addresses particle creation and conversion, particularly in relation to its foundations in quantum mechanics (QM). Participants explore the distinctions between various QFT formulations, such as the Schrödinger, path integral, and Heisenberg pictures, and question the nature of creation and annihilation operators in the context of particle types and transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about which QFT formulation (Schrödinger, path integral, or Heisenberg) is being referenced in the context of particle creation and conversion.
  • There is a discussion on the nature of creation and annihilation operators in QM, with some arguing that these operators do not literally create or destroy particles, especially considering different particle types and spins.
  • One participant emphasizes the mathematical operation that transitions from a space of n particles to n+1 particles, suggesting that this operation does not correspond to a physical process in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics but is useful for formulating many-particle theories.
  • Another participant proposes that the second method discussed may align with the Heisenberg picture and seeks clarification on the applications of QFT, such as Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) or Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD).
  • There is a mention of starting with single-particle QM in the Schrödinger representation and developing multi-particle QM in the Heisenberg representation, highlighting the difference in the equations governing wave functions versus field operators.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the specific QFT formulation being discussed and whether the second method aligns with the Heisenberg picture. There is no consensus on the implications of creation and annihilation operators or their physical interpretations in the context of QFT.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the discussion involves complex mathematical operations and their interpretations, which may not have clear physical correspondences in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. The scope of applications in QFT remains unspecified, leading to further questions about the context of use.

ftr
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I was reading this thread by stevendaryl
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/second-quantization-vs-many-particle-qm.835472/

I have two questions

1. which QFT picture are those, Schrödinger, path integral or Heisenberg.

2.In QM the creation/annihilation operators raise and lower energies, but they don't create and destroy particles in the strict sense, let alone the particles having different spins, being scalar one time and bispinor another and vector in another. So why it is said that QFT is a generalization of multi particle QM, and how does QFT generate those different particle and converts them one type to another or others.
 
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ftr said:
I was reading this thread by stevendaryl
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/second-quantization-vs-many-particle-qm.835472/

I have two questions

1. which QFT picture are those, Schrödinger, path integral or Heisenberg.

2.In QM the creation/annihilation operators raise and lower energies, but they don't create and destroy particles in the strict sense, let alone the particles having different spins, being scalar one time and bispinor another and vector in another. So why it is said that QFT is a generalization of multi particle QM, and how does QFT generate those different particle and converts them one type to another or others.

As to question number 2, I'm not talking about the raising and lowering operators for the simple harmonic oscillator. I'm talking about a mathematical operation that takes you from a space of n particles to a space of n+1 particles. In nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, this operator doesn't correspond to anything physical, but it can be used to formulate many-particle theories in a way that is equivalent to the usual theories.
 
Thanks for the answer. what about the first question. it looks like the second method is Heisenberg picture , is that correct. what about the first one and in which qft application is used QED or QCD or scattering ...what. Thanks
 
ftr said:
Thanks for the answer. what about the first question. it looks like the second method is Heisenberg picture , is that correct. what about the first one and in which qft application is used QED or QCD or scattering ...what. Thanks

The approach I described starts with single-particle QM in the Schrödinger representation and develops multi-particle QM in the Heisenberg representation. The big difference is whether you have a differential equation for the wave function or for the field operators.
 

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