Field Collapse. The answer to Schrodinger's dilemma is what we now call field collapse. In QFT, when a field quantum interacts, it must interact as a unit. Half of the quantum cannot do one thing while the other half does another. If a quantum is absorbed by a molecule, the entire quantum must be absorbed, no matter how spread out it may be. If a quantum is scattered by a molecule in a cloud chamber, it can interact only with that molecule, and not with several molecules at the same time. As Art Hobson wrote,
The tracks are made by successive individual interactions between a matter field and gas or water molecules. The matter field collapses...each time it interacts with a molecule, while spreading out as a matter field between impacts.
However, I must remind you that field collapse, while a necessary consequence of the quantum nature of fields, is not described by the equations of QFT. This problem will be discussed further in Chapter 8 {The Gaps}. Nonetheless, and even though many physicists find it a bitter pill to swallow, there is nothing inconsistent or paradoxical about field collapse. It just isn't what we expected.
The tracks are made by successive individual interactions between a matter field and gas or water molecules. The matter field collapses...each time it interacts with a molecule, while spreading out as a matter field between impacts.
However, I must remind you that field collapse, while a necessary consequence of the quantum nature of fields, is not described by the equations of QFT. This problem will be discussed further in Chapter 8 {The Gaps}. Nonetheless, and even though many physicists find it a bitter pill to swallow, there is nothing inconsistent or paradoxical about field collapse. It just isn't what we expected.
( Rodney A. Brooks )
[ Fields of Color: The theory ]
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