Making and remaking quantum field theory
Name
54666187-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
6.77 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
32023a9ef08829fed6a11c7de2252427
Author(s)
Razzaghe Ashrafi, Babak, 1964-
Advisor(s)
Evelyn Fox Keller, Jed Z. Buchwald and Silvan S. Schweber.
Date Issued
2003
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
In this thesis, I examine two episodes in the history of quantum field theory using different research techniques and historiographic approaches. The first episode occurred during the 1920's and 1930's when quantum mechanics and relativity were being reconciled. I present some of the central developments of that episode using an approach that relates questions asked by physicists to the structures of putative natural kinds upon which they predicated their research. The second episode occurred during the 1960's and 1970's when important features of quantum field theory were given new interpretations that arose from the exchange of methods and insights between particle physics, solid state physics, statistical mechanics and physical chemistry. Research for the second episode was conducted in collaboration with other historians and scientists using novel web-based and database-backed research tools.
Description
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Science, Technology and Society, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-156).
Subjects
Program in Science, Technology and Society.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Program in Science, Technology and Society
Terms of Use
M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
Persistent DSpace Link
