Snowmass white paper: The quest to define QFT

Abstract

This paper provides a review of the literature on rigorous definitions and constructions in quantum field theory (QFT), spanning the period of seven decades. Compared with the ideas and constructions found in the modern physics literature, we conclude that none of the existing systems of QFT axioms can cover all the physical situations. Therefore, it is still an outstanding open problem to formulate a complete definition of QFT. We argue that the question is of relevance for both physicists and mathematicians.