Yes, photons are indeed part of quantum fields. In quantum field theory, particles are viewed as excitations or quanta of their respective underlying quantum fields. Photons are the quanta associated with the electromagnetic field.
The electromagnetic field is a fundamental quantum field that permeates space and carries electromagnetic interactions. According to quantum field theory, the electromagnetic field can be quantized, meaning it can be described in terms of discrete packets or quanta of energy, known as photons. These photons are the carriers of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, X-rays, and more.
The behavior of photons and their interactions with matter are described by quantum electrodynamics (QED), which is a quantum field theory that combines quantum mechanics with special relativity to explain electromagnetic phenomena. QED treats photons as massless particles with spin-1, and it provides a mathematical framework for understanding their properties and interactions.
Quantum field theory allows for the creation and annihilation of photons in the vacuum, as mentioned earlier. In the absence of any excitations or particles, the electromagnetic field still possesses fluctuations and energy associated with the zero-point energy of the vacuum.
Therefore, photons play a vital role in quantum field theory and provide a fundamental understanding of the behavior of electromagnetic radiation. They are considered quanta of the quantum electromagnetic field and are central to our understanding of light, electromagnetic interactions, and many other phenomena in quantum physics.