Physics:Quantum virtual particle

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A quantum virtual particle is an internal element of a perturbative quantum-field calculation rather than a directly observed free particle. Virtual particles represent intermediate contributions to amplitudes and should not be confused with ordinary detector particles.[1][2]

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Virtual particle: internal excitation in quantum amplitudes.

Conceptual role

This topic lies at the boundary between quantum field theory, relativity, cosmology, and the foundations of measurement. It clarifies what is meant by fields, particles, vacuum, and geometry.[3]

Open questions

The main unresolved issues concern how geometry, vacuum structure, horizons, and quantum states behave when gravitational and quantum effects are simultaneously important.[4]

See also

Table of contents (84 articles)

Index

Full contents

References

  1. "Virtual particle". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_particle. 
  2. Wald, Robert M. (1984). General Relativity. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-87033-5. 
  3. Wald, Robert M. (1984). General Relativity. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-87033-5. 
  4. Rovelli, Carlo (2004). Quantum Gravity. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-83733-0. 


Author: Harold Foppele


Source attribution: Physics:Quantum virtual particle