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History 181B:  Modern Physics
Class 39 (4/23/01)
Rethinking quantum field theory
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Outline Review:  quantum field theories
     What is the point of a QFT?
     One QFT:  quantum electrodynamics
     Problem:  infinities
     The root of the problem, and the physicists' response

A temporary expedient:  Heisenberg's S matrix (1942-44)
     S for scattering:  how to treat interactions
     Black-boxing what you can't observe

Facing the infinities:  renormalized QED (begin)
Names and terms
Primary Secondary
electron-positron pairs
vacuum polarization
subtraction procedures
Copyright © Cathryn Carson 2001