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The Elementary Particles of Quantum Fields.

Gregg Jaeger1

  • 1Quantum Communication and Measurement Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Division of Natural Science and Mathematics, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Elementary particles are redefined as property collections, not simple field quanta. This new particle definition unifies quantum field theory and particle physics practice.

Keywords:
interpretationontologyparticlequantum fieldquantum field theoryreductionism

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Area of Science:

  • Theoretical Physics
  • Quantum Field Theory
  • Particle Physics

Background:

  • The traditional view of elementary particles as simple field quanta in relativistic quantum field theory (QFT) faces challenges.
  • A disconnect exists between the practical application of particle physics and its foundational QFT principles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a new definition of elementary particles within relativistic quantum field theory.
  • To reconcile the practice of particle physics with its theoretical underpinnings in QFT.

Main Methods:

  • Particles are conceptualized as a unified collection of properties.
  • These properties are shown to manifest in both physical symmetry group representations and field propagators.
  • The proposed definition is demonstrated to be consistent with established QFT frameworks.

Main Results:

  • Elementary particles are not reducible to simple field quanta but supplement quantum fields.
  • A particle's definition is derived from a unified set of properties.
  • This unified property set links representations of physical symmetry groups and field propagators.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed particle definition offers a more consistent framework for relativistic quantum field theory.
  • This approach bridges the gap between theoretical constructs and experimental practice in particle physics.
  • This re-conceptualization enhances the foundational understanding of particles in modern physics.