Fraser, Doreen (2008) The fate of 'particles' in quantum field theories with interactions. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Most philosophical discussion of the particle concept that is afforded by quantum field theory has focused on free systems. This paper is devoted to a systematic investigation of whether the particle concept for free systems can be extended to interacting systems. The possible methods of accomplishing this are considered and all are found unsatisfactory. Therefore, an interacting system cannot be interpreted in terms of particles. As a consequence, quantum field theory does not support the inclusion of particles in our ontology. In contrast to much of the recent discussion on the particle concept derived from quantum field theory, this argument does not rely on the assumption that a particulate entity be localizable.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Fraser, Doreen
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Keywords:	quantum field theory, quanta, particle, interaction
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Depositing User:	Doreen Fraser
Date Deposited:	25 May 2008
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:16
Item ID:	4038
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Date:	May 2008
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4038

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