The Present Status of Quantum Electrodynamics

Physics of Particles and Nuclei, 2011

2000

The particle Fock space of the matter fields in QED can be constructed using the free creation and annihilation operators. However, these particle operators are not, even at asymptotically large times, the modes of the matter fields that enter the QED Lagrangian. In this letter we construct the fields which do recover such particle modes at large times. We are thus able to demonstrate for the first time that, contrary to statements found in the literature, a relativistic description of charged particles in QED exists. email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Introduction The conclusions of this paper, that electrons are particles, will not surprise our experimental colleagues. What may come as a surprise to them is the fact that the hitherto accepted wisdom [1–4] in the theoretical community was that there does not exist any relativistic description of the electron as a particle! The root of the problem [5] lies in the masslessness of the p...

2000

The particle Fock space of the matter fields in QED can be constructed using the free creation and annihilation operators. However, these particle operators are not, even at asymptotically large times, the modes of the matter fields that enter the QED Lagrangian. In this letter we construct the fields which do recover such particle modes at large times. We are thus able to demonstrate for the first time that, contrary to statements found in the literature, a relativistic description of charged particles in QED exists.

Reappraisal of QED Fundamentals, 2025

The Quantum Electrodynamics fundamental drawbacks are revisited and analyzed. Those concern the vector potential amplitude operator, the electromagnetic field harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian with the associated zero-point energy singularity and the electron-vacuum interaction Hamiltonian. Without stating postulates or advancing any hypothesis it is shown that the QED difficulties can be readily overcome without compromising any of the achievements by enhancing the quantization of the vector potential amplitude to a single photon level. A photon wave function is defined as a probability amplitude normalized within an intrinsic quantization volume and satisfying Schrödinger's equation for both the photon energy and vector potential. Ensuing the single photon vector potential quantization the electromagnetic vacuum appears naturally complementing the normal ordering Hamiltonian without involving singularities.

Physical Review Letters, 2004

A probability of electron-positron pair production by photons in strong nonuniform fields is derived by applying a model trajectory method in the frame of a semiclassical approach. In addition to the well known invariant field parameter \ksi, a new invariant parameter \nu is introduced to characterize the nonuniformity of the field. For \nu>> 1, the obtained expression is reduced to the uniform-field approximation while it approaches the Bethe-Heitler formula for \nu <<1. The pair production is predicted for relatively weak external fields where the uniform-field approximation gives no effect. The theory agrees well with the experimental results of crystal-assisted pair production.

Quantum Wave Mechanics 4th ed., 2022

Quantum Electrodynamic (QED) theory, while providing a mathematical formalism to describe electromagnetic interactions, conveys little insight into the nature or structure of the electron. Feynman diagrams, a graphical representation of probability amplitudes, yield scant information on the internal details of the interaction processes at the vertex points or geometrical description of the propagator. While various models of photons and electrons have been proposed which can account for some of the observed characteristics, an additional screening is necessary to discriiinate viable candidates. A process description must account for not only the initial and final configuration states but also the transition path between demonstrating convertibility and conservation of quantum mechanical properties. Pair production and annihilation processes provide a severe test of any proposed geometrical models of such particles. A detailed geometrical model of electron/positron pair production and annihilation is illustrated describing transformation of a propagating photon helicoid traveling wave into and electron and positron topologically confined rotating standing waves. The electron and positron are each depicted as a torus of revolution (Hopf link embedded within an annular manifold) with opposite charge, spins and magnetic moments.

This textbook deals with advanced topics in the field of quantum mechanics, material which is usually encountered in a second university course on quantum mechanics. The book, which comprises a total of 15 chapters, is divided into three parts: I. Many-Body Systems, II. Relativistic Wave Equations, and III. Relativistic Fields. The text is written in such a way as to attach importance to a rigorous presentation while, at the same time, requiring no prior knowledge, except in the field of basic quantum mechanics. The inclusion of all mathematical steps and full presentation of intermediate calculations ensures ease of understanding. A number of problems are included at the end of each chapter. Sections or parts thereof that can be omitted in a first reading are marked with a star, and subsidiary calculations and remarks not essential for comprehension are given in small print. It is not necessary to have read Part I in order to understand Parts II and III. References to other works in the literature are given whenever it is felt they serve a useful purpose. These are by no means complete and are simply intended to encourage further reading. A list of other textbooks is included at the end of each of the three parts.