Undergrad Is it possible to detect an electrostatic field?

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An electrostatic field is indeed a real phenomenon created by electrons, which can be detected. The discussion highlights that virtual photons, used in quantum field theory, are not physically detectable as they are merely calculational tools in perturbation theory. To derive a Coulomb field, one must sum an infinite number of Feynman diagrams, indicating the complexity of the underlying physics. The distinction between electrostatic fields and virtual photon fields is emphasized, with the former being a coherent state of the electromagnetic field. Understanding these concepts requires delving into advanced quantum field theory literature, such as Weinberg's work.
Philipsmett
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If the electron creates an electric field around itself that can be detected,then the electrostatic field is real? So why was not the "virtual" photon found?
 
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An electrostatic field is a special coherent state of the em. field, not a photon field. Virtual photons cannot be found be definition. They are calculational pieces used in perturbation theory. To get a Coulomb field from the formalism you need to resum infinitely many terms of Feyman diagrams. For the details, see Weinberg, QT of Fields vol. I (the chapter on soft-photon physics).
 
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