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From the history of physics


P. A. M. Dirac and the formation of the basic ideas of quantum field theory

,  a
a Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 6 Joliot-Curie Str., Dubna, Moscow Region, 141980, Russian Federation

This paper celebrates a double anniversary. In 1987, P. A. M. Dirac (1902--1984) would have been 85 years old and in addition it was 60 years ago that Dirac's paper on ``The quantum theory of emission and absorption of radiation'' appeared. That paper laid the foundation for modern quantum field theory. The appearance and evolution of the basic concepts and representations of quantum field theory are presented here more from a logical than a historical aspect. Special note is taken of the important role played by Dirac in this process.

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Fulltext is also available at DOI: 10.1070/PU1987v030n09ABEH002962
PACS: 11.10.Gh, 11.15.−q (all)
DOI: 10.1070/PU1987v030n09ABEH002962
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1987/9/b/
Citation: Medvedev B V, Shirkov D V "P. A. M. Dirac and the formation of the basic ideas of quantum field theory" Sov. Phys. Usp. 30 791–815 (1987)
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Оригинал: Медведев Б В, Ширков Д В «П. А. М. Дирак и становление основных представлений квантовой теории поля» УФН 153 59–104 (1987); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0153.198709b.0059

P.A.M. Dirac is author of Physics-Uspekhi

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