The Concept of Potential in Quantum Field Theory

Abstract

In quantum field theory the concept of a Lagrangian interaction density, expressed in terms of fields, is primary. Forces between two particles are regarded as arising primarily from the exchange of quanta of the bosonic fields. Thus, in contrast to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, the concept of a two-body poten tial is secondary. Potentials are not given a priori but must be defined. Part of the purpose of this talk is to review and discuss the issues involved when such definitions are made. In this context I describe a gauge-independent approach to some aspects of the problem of determining the energy levels of bound states, developed in collaboration with the late G. Feinberg, and report some recent results on the long-range potential associated with two-photon exchange between charged particles.