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There are two answers here really. I'll begin by describing why it's different from Quantum Mechanics.
Quantum Mechanics studies non-relativistic particles (or waves), that is particles where effects from Einstein's relativity are unnoticeable because the particle is travelling at a speed much slower than the speed of light. Additionally people study N-body problems, which means to say that we think of a system with precisely N particles.
Quantum Field Theory on the other hand is a generalisation that attempts to study particles where relativistic effects can be noticeable. This has several additional problems, one of which is that it predicts that particles can be created or destroyed which means we're no longer in an N-body system. Quantum Field Theory was invented in order to deal with these problems and as such it generalises Quantum Mechanics. There are several additional complexities that Quantum Field Theory has a result of this, in particular there has always been problems that infinities show up in calculations that have caused various difficulties, though these have been solved by techniques in Physics known as renormalisation.
To date Quantum Field Theory is the best theory of Physics that is experimentally verified. String Theory offers a possible improvement but it has yet (at least to my knowledge) to any experimental justification. Quantum Field Theory fully explains (nearly) everything we currently know about particle physics, including quantum effects in electromagnetism, nuclear physics and condensed matter physics.
The outstanding problem in this field is to try and incorporate Einstein's theory of gravity. This is considered by many as one of the big outstanding problems in Physics today.
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What has the author Rudolf Haag written?
Rudolf Haag has written: 'Local quantum physics' -- subject(s): Quantum field theory, Quantum theory 'On quantum field theories' -- subject(s): Quantum theory
What is a quantum field?
The quantum field theory is a theoretical framework for constructing quantum mechanical models. These models are of subatomic particles in particle physics.
What is Quantum Theory all about?
The study of microscopic stuff.
What has the author Stephen L Adler written?
Stephen L. Adler has written: 'Quantum Theory as an Emergent Phenomenon' -- subject(s): Quantum theory 'Quaternionic quantum mechanics and quantum fields' -- subject(s): Quantum theory, Quaternions, Mathematical physics, Quantum field theory
Why it is said relativistic quantum mechanics?
The distinction is sometimes made to distinguish normal quantum mechanics (which does not incorporate special relativity) and quantum field theory (relativistic quantum mechanics). Since we know special relativity is correct it is the relativistic form of quantum mechanics which is true, but non-relativistic quantum mechanics is still used, because it is a good approximation at low energies and it is much simpler. Physics students typically study regular quantum mechanics before moving on to quantum field theory.
What has the author P K Anastasovski written?
P. K. Anastasovski has written: 'Quantum mass theory compatible with quantum field theory' -- subject(s): Photonuclear reactions, Ionized gases, Atomic transition probabilities, Quantum field theory
What has the author Jan Rzewuski written?
Jan Rzewuski has written: 'Field theory' -- subject(s): Field theory (Physics), Quantum field theory
What has the author H H Aly written?
H. H. Aly has written: 'Singular interactions in quantum field theory' -- subject(s): Quantum field theory, Renormalization (Physics)
What has the author Esteban A Calzetta written?
Esteban A. Calzetta has written: 'Nonequilibrium quantum field theory' -- subject(s): Quantum field theory, Many-body problem, Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics
Is there any evidence against the theory of quantum cosmology?
Quantum cosmology is a field attempting to study the effect of quantum mechanics on the formation of the universe, especially just after the Big Bang. Despite many attempts, such as the Wheeler-deWitt equation this area of interest has yet to be fruitful. Quantum cosmology is a branch of quantum gravity.
What is the quantum relativity theory in as simple of terms as possible?
The merger of quantum mechanics with the special theory of relativity is commonly known as quantum field theory. According to this theory every particle of matter is just an excitation of a field that is everywhere in space. There is a different field for every different particle (this is not really true, but close enough). You might already be familiar with electromagnetism. In that theory (which has now been completely absorbed into quantum field theory) electric and magnetic forces are transmitted via photons. These photons are just excitations of the photon field. A photon has no mass, but all particles can be thought as as being excitations of fields. There is for example an electron field, but also a neutrino field and a muon field.
What useful generalizations can one formulate from quantum mechanics?
Answerquantum field theory, quantum electrodynamics, quantum chromodynamics, string theoryEnergy is quantized
