Outline of the present Quantum Field Theory :

                    The present quantum  theory of electromagnetic radiation states that electromagnetic radiation is caused by the vibration or oscillation of ions and electrons in the crystal lattice of the conductor , under the influence of an electric field  within the conductor.

                   This vibration or oscillation , results in the formation of an electromagnetic field around the conductor , the energy of the electromagnetic field gives rise to “virtual” photons . This is the process of creation , matter being formed out of energy. In the second stage , that of propagation , it is assumed that the whole of space is permeated by “virtual” particles , these “virtual” particles are “virtual” electrons and positrons and always exist in pairs and are formed out of “virtual” photons , the particles being representative of matter and anti-matter annihilate themselves giving rise in the process to a “virtual “ photon.  If the “virtual “ electron-positron pair interact with a real photon , the product of the annihilation process is also a real photon . This in plain language is the essence of the gauge theory .  What in effect has been attempted by this theory is to transfer the observations made by numerous experiments concerning nuclear transformations , to a relatively unrelated field. It is true that it has been proved experimentally that matter and electromagnetic radiation can undergo transformations into each other , these transformations only take place at high levels of energy .  For instance the transformation of a gamma ray  into a positron and an electron cannot take place unless the gamma ray possesses a minimum energy of 1.2 MeV .  The present quantum field theory attempts to apply the same kind of transformations to electro-magnetic fields which typically might possess energies of 10^-12 eV.  This involves energy differences which vary not by mere factors of ten but by more than a trillion times.

 Note on drawbacks of Quantum Field Theory

       

         The quantum mechanics theory for the propagation of electromagnetic radiation is represented by Quantum Field Theory. Quantum Field Theory describes processes in which particles are created or destroyed. This means that the energy of the photon is transmitted through the creation and annihilation of virtual particles. When a quantum field becomes more excited , the number of quanta of excitation increases. This occurs because new particle – antiparticle pairs are created from radiation. When a quantum field becomes less excited , the number of quanta of excitation decreases. This is achieved by processes in which particles and antiparticles collide and annihilate one another to produce radiation. (Both of these processes are permitted by Einstein’s  E = mc²  and were explicitly predicted by Dirac. However , the equation  E = mc²   does not suggest that these interactions can take place at the low energies present in the electromagnetic field , which for radio waves can be typically as low as 10 ^–19 eV, according to Einstein’s theory the minimum energy should be at least 1.5 MeV.)

         The prospect   that QFT represented such an intimate relation between matter and energy were attractive features and raised the hope that it might be a truly fundamental theory capable of providing a new world-view. However there were serious problems within quantum electro-dynamics that had to be overcome before such hopes stood any chance of being realized. Using QED to predict the value of a physically measurable quantity involved in practice , working out the contribution made by several different sub-processes. In other words , how does the translation of a specific energy evolve through interaction via the creation and annihilation of virtual particles. Making sure that these sub-processes were fully identified was a problem in itself , working out their individual contributions was even worse. Even in the simplest cases determining the contributions was difficult , and in the more complicated cases the result was usually a meaningless infinity showing that something was wrong.

      Put Simply Quantum  Field Theory does not work and the question as to ho electromagnetic radiation propagates is still open to question.

           Another assertion frequently made , by advocates of quantum mechanics , is that if you shine a torch into the sky the light from that torch would travel forever unless the photons meet something on the way and were absorbed . This can be easily disproved.  Light from any source always discounting for the moment lasers ,  spreads out in accordance with the inverse square law.  In order for this to be understood we must imagine that there exists a receiver which is capable of detecting light in the same way that a radio receiver can detect electromagnetic waves.  We will assume that our detector is placed 10,000 Kms from the source and calculate the intensity of the light that reaches it over an area of 1 sq mm.

             A  1 Watt  light bulb (at 100 % efficiency) emits 1 J worth of photons each second. If we assume these photons have a wavelength of 550 nm (which is convenient as the "middle" of the visible spectrum), the energy in each photon is 3.612 x 10 ^{- 19} J . This means that 2.7 x 10 ¹⁸ (i.e 1 / 3.612 x 10 ^–19) photons are emitted by the bulb every second! Now if we take into account the inverse square law at a distance of 10,000 km ( a relatively small distance compared to the distances radio waves travel ) and calculate the amount of energy reaching 1 sq mm of our detector , we get  ( 1 Joule = 10⁷ ergs,  the energy of  a photon of 550nm = approx 10 ^–12 ergs ) 10⁷ / 10²⁰ = 10 ^–13 ergs /sq mm.  Put another way it means that 0.02  photons reach a 1 sq. mm area of the detector . This means in effect that the photon has ceased to exist ! The energy received at the detector differs from the energy value of the photon by a factor of ten . According to observations a photon cannot lose its energy , it  either retains its energy intact or is absorbed. We also know , from the photo-electric effect , that it is not the intensity of  the light that counts but the energy content of the light , thus even if the energy calculated for 1 sq mm is extrapolated over 1 sq m it would make no difference. In a radio receiver it is  the overall pattern of the wave that is being detected , in our hypothetical light receiver , we need to reproduce the exact photon value.

            This is something that is not supposed to happen , a photon cannot lose its energy.  So what are the alternatives? A more comprehensive account of the “aumic” theory explanation for this phenomenon maybe found at  The Field:       

                    It is interesting , here , to note the similarities between , ““Aumic” Theory “

and quantum theory:

·        Both theories affirm that the electromagnetic field is made up of “virtual” photons. While quantum theory states that these “virtual” photons are created  out of the energy of the electromagnetic field. ““Aumic” Theory” states that the electromagnetic field itself is made up of “virtual” photons and form the lines of force as have been observed.

·        While quantum theory believes the field is made up of “virtual” electron-positron pairs. ““Aumic” Theory “  states that the field is made up of  virtual photons , which , because of their very low energy , can be visualised as being , essentially , photon shells , which can take on the “identity” of  any photon energy up to that of  the “conduction” photon.