MIT Libraries logoDSpace@MIT

MIT
View Item 
  • DSpace@MIT Home
  • MIT Libraries
  • MIT Theses
  • Doctoral Theses
  • View Item
  • DSpace@MIT Home
  • MIT Libraries
  • MIT Theses
  • Doctoral Theses
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Making and remaking quantum field theory

Author(s)
Razzaghe Ashrafi, Babak, 1964-
Thumbnail
DownloadFull printable version (6.772Mb)
Other Contributors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Program in Science, Technology and Society.
Advisor
Evelyn Fox Keller, Jed Z. Buchwald and Silvan S. Schweber.
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. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Metadata
Show full item record
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).
 
Date issued
2003
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29762
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Program in Science, Technology and Society
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Program in Science, Technology and Society.

Collections
  • Doctoral Theses

Browse

All of DSpaceCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

My Account

Login

Statistics

OA StatisticsStatistics by CountryStatistics by Department
MIT Libraries
PrivacyPermissionsAccessibilityContact us
MIT
Content created by the MIT Libraries, CC BY-NC unless otherwise noted. Notify us about copyright concerns.