A field quantum is a unit of energy that is associated with a specific field, such as the electromagnetic field or the Higgs field. It is the smallest possible amount of energy that can exist within that field.
In particle physics, particles are viewed as excitations or disturbances in their respective fields. These disturbances are quantized, meaning they can only exist in discrete units, which are known as field quanta. In other words, particles are made up of field quanta.
No, field quanta cannot be directly observed. They are a theoretical concept used to explain the behavior of particles and fields in quantum mechanics. However, their effects can be observed through experiments and calculations.
Field quanta interact with each other by exchanging energy and momentum through their respective fields. This interaction is responsible for the forces between particles, such as the electromagnetic force and the strong and weak nuclear forces.
Some field quanta, such as the Higgs boson, have mass, while others, like the photon, do not. The mass of a field quantum is determined by the strength of its interaction with the Higgs field, which gives particles their mass.