Maxwell’s equations in axiomatic quantum field theory. I. Field tensor and potentials

Abstract

An approach to the investigation of the Maxwell field in the framework of axiomatic quantum field theory is presented which employs Borchers’ algebraic reformulation of Wightman theory in a modified form adapted to the special features of the electromagnetic field. This makes it possible to clarify the relation between tensor and potential field operators, the meaning and properties of different gauges, the sense in which field equations hold and the properties of state spaces with their special subspaces.