In quantum field theory, the quantum field itself is a fundamental concept used to describe the behavior of elementary particles and their interactions. The field is not made up of anything in the traditional sense. It is a mathematical construct that pervades all of space and time.
According to quantum field theory, particles are excitations or disturbances in their corresponding quantum fields. When a particle is not manifesting or being observed, it is in a state of potentiality or superposition, meaning it exists as a range of possibilities. The field is still present even when it is not manifesting a particle. In this sense, the field can be thought of as an underlying substrate or medium from which particles can emerge.
The behavior of the quantum field is described by mathematical equations and principles of quantum mechanics. These equations specify how the field evolves in time and interacts with other fields and particles. The field can exhibit various states, such as ground states or excited states, which correspond to different energy levels and particle configurations.
It's important to note that the nature of quantum fields and their fundamental constituents is a subject of ongoing research and investigation in theoretical physics. Our current understanding is based on the principles of quantum field theory, which provides a mathematical framework for describing the behavior of elementary particles and their interactions.