Uploaded July 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Julian Schwinger developed renormalization methods for extracting Lorentz and gauge invariant results from perturbative calculations in quantum electrodynamics and, ultimately, laid the first foundations for postwar quantum field theory itself. He continued to work within the framework of quantum field theory through the mid-1960s, long after most particle theorists had shifted their hopes for modeling the strong interactions to S-matrix Theory or the methods of current algebra. However, in 1966 Schwinger abandoned quantum field theory as well, and the remainder of his work in particle theory was devoted to the development and elaboration of a new theoretical framework called Source Theory. In this talk, I describe the manner in which Schwinger's unique understanding of renormalization and the relationship between fields and particles, as well as his life-long methodological commitments, were both the cause of his persistent work on quantum field theory and of his ultimate abandonment of that framework.
Porter Williams, University of Southern California
Foundations of Quantum Field Theory: 2019 Annual Philosophy of Physics Conference
June 12 - 14, 2019
Visit the Rotman website for more information on applications, events, project descriptions, and openings. rotman.uwo.ca
Follow The Rotman Institute on Twitter: twitter.com/rotmanphilo
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In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Julian Schwinger developed renormalization methods for extracting Lorentz and gauge invariant results from perturbative calculations in quantum electrodynamics and, ultimately, laid the first foundations for postwar quantum field theory itself. He continued to work within the framework of quantum field theory through the mid-1960s, long after most particle theorists had shifted their hopes for modeling the strong interactions to S-matrix Theory or the methods of current algebra. However, in 1966 Schwinger abandoned quantum field theory as well, and the remainder of his work in particle theory was devoted to the development and elaboration of a new theoretical framework called Source Theory. In this talk, I describe the manner in which Schwinger's unique understanding of renormalization and the relationship between fields and particles, as well as his life-long methodological commitments, were both the cause of his persistent work on quantum field theory and of his ultimate abandonment of that framework.
Porter Williams, University of Southern California
Foundations of Quantum Field Theory: 2019 Annual Philosophy of Physics Conference
June 12 - 14, 2019
Visit the Rotman website for more information on applications, events, project descriptions, and openings. rotman.uwo.ca
Follow The Rotman Institute on Twitter: twitter.com/rotmanphilo
Like The Rotman Institute on Facebook: facebook.com/rotmanphilosophy
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/user/rotmanphilosophy
