Probing the Consistency of Quantum Field Theory I: From Nonconvergence to Haag's Theorem (1949-1954) (Elements in the Foundations of Contemporary Physics)

Blum, Alexander S.

ISBN 10: 1009619276 / ISBN 13: 9781009619271

Published by Cambridge University Press, 2026

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Seller Inventory # V9781009619271

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Probing the Consistency of Quantum Field Theory I: From Nonconvergence to Haag's Theorem (1949-1954) (Elements in the Foundations of Contemporary Physics)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1009619276
• ISBN 13: 9781009619271
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

This two‐volume Element reconstructs and analyzes the historical debates on whether renormalized quantum field theory is a mathematically consistent theory. This volume covers the years the years immediately following the development of renormalized quantum electrodynamics. It begins with the realization that perturbation theory cannot serve as the foundation for a proof of consistency, due to the non-convergence of the perturbation series. Various attempts at a nonperturbative formulation of quantum field theory are discussed, including the Schwinger–Dyson equations, GunnarKällén's nonperturbative renormalization, the renormalization group of MurrayGell-Mann and Francis Low, and, in the last section, early axiomatic quantum field theory. The second volume of this Element covers the establishment of Haag's theorem, which proved that even the Hilbert space of perturbation theory is an inadequate foundation for a consistent theory. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.