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I understand that QFT is the theoretical framework for combining QM and Special Relativity, but as I understand it, though even without proof or experimental confirmations; has QFT managed to "behind all the rigor" design a mathematical construct that fully explains and logically computes there conflicts? Or does it continue to struggle for a formulary solution?

Qmechanic
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GammaRay
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  • If you like this question you may also enjoy reading this Phys.SE post. – Qmechanic Feb 13 '14 at 10:29
  • GammaRay, are you aware of the fact that QFT has a large mass of experimental data supporting its predictions? Think, for instance, of the discovery of the Higgs... – Danu Feb 13 '14 at 11:32
  • You are right, I should have made it more clear buy saying something like "though without absolute conclusive proofs". – GammaRay Feb 13 '14 at 21:53

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Quantum field theory is a general framework. There are many different kinds of field theories, the most well-known of which are QED (quantum electrodynamics) and QCD (quantum chromodynamics). QED has been shown to agree incredibly well with experiment. The anomalous magnetic dipole moment of an electron, as computed using QED, agrees with experiment to 10 significant figures, the best agreement between theory and experiment of any physical theory in history. The large coupling constant of the strong force makes QCD much more difficult to deal with theoretically, and confinement makes it difficult probe experimentally.

Scott Griffiths
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