Trajectories and particle creation and annihilation in quantum field theory

Abstract

We develop a theory based on Bohmian mechanics in which particle world lines can begin and end. Such a theory provides a realist description of creation and annihilation events and thus a further step towards a 'beable-based' formulation of quantum field theory, as opposed to the usual 'observable-based' formulation which is plagued by the conceptual difficulties—such as the measurement problem—of quantum mechanics.