Re: The time it takes to emit one photon
Igor Khavkine wrote:
First, let me say how I see the connection between non-linear classical
field theory, QFT, many particle quantum mechanics, and classical
particle mechanics.
Quantization
Classical Field Theory <-----------------> QFT
Classical Limit ^
|
Fock Space |
Construction | Wave Function
| Representation
Classical Quantization V
Particle Mechanics <-----------------> Many Particle QM
Classical Limit
Dear Igor,
I don't have much hope that you'll accept my position, because
it flies in the face of everything you've learned at school.
I understand it well. However, if there is a chance that somebody
will be encouraged to take a fresh look at things, I'll take this
chance...
I would like to modify your diagram in the following way:
Classical Quantization
Particle Mechanics <-----------------> Variable # of Particles QM
Classical Limit
You may note that I dropped QFT from that picture. In my view,
QFT is not a complete physical theory. It becomes complete only
after making the unitary transformation to dressed particles.
This transforms QED to the relativistic QM formulated in the Fock space
(i.e., with variable number of particles) and, incidentally,
removes all QFT problems related to infinities and bare particles.
There is no classical field theory on my picture as well.
For example, I would place Maxwell's theory somewhere between
QM and classical particle mechanics. In my view, Maxwell's theory
is a partial classical limit of QM in which heavy particles
(e.g., electrons) are treated classically, but the treatment of
photons remains quantum. The electric and magnetic
fields in Maxwell's theory are just attempts to describe wave
functions of (a very large number of) photons. In the presence of
charged particles, these fields also incorporate instantaneous
interparticle potentials (e.g., the Coulomb potential).
Eugene.
.
