Quantum Fluctuations: Virtual Photon in Feynman Diagrams

[NATURE.M]

Contrary to a classical vacuum, particles tend to pop into and out of existence in a quantum vacuum. When analyzing a Feynman diagram (such as Moller scattering), is the virtual photon that mediates the electromagnetic interaction considered to be a quantum fluctuation? (Any feedback will be helpful).

 

[The_Duck]

Loosely speaking, it's the loops in Feynman diagrams that represent "quantum fluctuations." For example, a photon line can be interrupted by an electron loop:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Vacuum_polarization.svg

This diagram can be interpreted as a propagating photon interacting with an electron-positron pair that briefly pops out of the vacuum and then disappears again.

 

[NATURE.M]

okay thanks that clarifies it.