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You know what it looks like… but what is it called?
TAKE THE QUIZquantum field theory
noun
: a theory in physics: the interaction of two separate physical systems (such as particles) is attributed to a field that extends from one to the other and is manifested in a particle exchange between the two systems
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Flip Tanedo points out that Brian Hill's transcription of Sidney Coleman's lectures on quantum field theory have finally been LaTeXed (pdf).
—
Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2011
Many physicists hope that the problem of the gravitational influence of zero-point energy can be resolvable within the framework of quantum field theory, possibly in a theory of quantum gravity.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022
Crucially, the quantum field theory describing D-branes was strongly coupled: particles and fields in the theory interacted strongly with each other.
—Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, 30 Nov. 2022
Feynman integrals have plagued particle theorists since the rise of quantum field theory in the mid–20th century.
—Byadrian Cho, science.org, 30 Nov. 2022
It is based on other experimental results (for example, from BaBar and the KLOE project in Italy) that do not agree with simulations of quantum field theory that were recently performed on supercomputers.
—Andreas Crivellin, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2022
This proved that creating matter from nothing is indeed possible, a theory first proposed by Julian Schwinger, one of the founders of quantum field theory.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 18 Sep. 2022
Electromagnetic force was well explained by quantum field theory, which pictured attraction or repulsion as an exchange of massless particles—photons—able to travel across unlimited distances.
—Andrew Crumey, WSJ, 3 June 2022
Adami sees the new research as an elegant synthesis of several different disciplines, including classical physics, atomic physics and quantum field theory.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 20 May 2022
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Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2011
Many physicists hope that the problem of the gravitational influence of zero-point energy can be resolvable within the framework of quantum field theory, possibly in a theory of quantum gravity.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022
Crucially, the quantum field theory describing D-branes was strongly coupled: particles and fields in the theory interacted strongly with each other.
—Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, 30 Nov. 2022
Feynman integrals have plagued particle theorists since the rise of quantum field theory in the mid–20th century.
—Byadrian Cho, science.org, 30 Nov. 2022
It is based on other experimental results (for example, from BaBar and the KLOE project in Italy) that do not agree with simulations of quantum field theory that were recently performed on supercomputers.
—Andreas Crivellin, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2022
This proved that creating matter from nothing is indeed possible, a theory first proposed by Julian Schwinger, one of the founders of quantum field theory.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 18 Sep. 2022
Electromagnetic force was well explained by quantum field theory, which pictured attraction or repulsion as an exchange of massless particles—photons—able to travel across unlimited distances.
—Andrew Crumey, WSJ, 3 June 2022
Adami sees the new research as an elegant synthesis of several different disciplines, including classical physics, atomic physics and quantum field theory.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 20 May 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quantum field theory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1948, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of quantum field theory was
in 1948
Dictionary Entries Near quantum field theory
Cite this Entry
“Quantum field theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum%20field%20theory. Accessed 5 Feb. 2023.
More from Merriam-Webster on quantum field theory
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quantum field theory
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