quantum field theory

[ kwon-tuhm feeld thee-uh-ree, theer-ee ]

noun

, Physics.

1. any field theory that applies the principles and methodology of quantum mechanics. : QFT

quantum field theory

noun

1. physics quantum mechanical theory concerned with elementary particles, which are represented by fields whose normal modes of oscillation are quantized

quantum field theory

1. The application of quantum mechanics to physical systems described by fields, such as electromagnetic fields. Quantum field theory was developed to overcome certain deficiencies in Schrödinger's equation , in particular the fact that it was not consistent with special relativity and was difficult to apply to systems involving many particles or to the creation and destruction of particles.
2. See also quantum chromodynamics

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantum field theory¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

In quantum field theory, when a not-so-stable state transforms into the true stable state, it's called "false vacuum decay."

From Science Daily

In the late 1960s and early 1970s it was realized that these phase transitions can be described by the same kind of quantum field theory that had already been developed to understand elementary particle physics.

From Scientific American

Tong ended up connecting the fluids on Earth to the quantum Hall effect again, but through a different approach, using the language of quantum field theory.

From Scientific American

The trouble is that the predicted value for the cosmological constant from calculations using quantum field theory produces a number that is too large by a factor of 10120.

From Scientific American

In the Caltech interview, he recalled a paper in which he suggested that gravity could solve some troubling infinities that were showing up in the quantum field theory of electrodynamics.

From New York Times