The formulation of local measurement theory for quantum field theory (QFT) has recently been an active area of research. In contrast to the asymptotic measurement framework, that was enshrined in quantum electrodynamics, the new proposals aim to supply a measurement framework for measurement in local spacetime regions. In the history of QFT, in parallel to the establishment of the asymptotic scattering paradigm, there is a series of attempts to model local measurements in QFT that I will review in the first part of this talk. Considerations of relativistic causality played an important role in these developments. Today, causality issues, such as ‘impossible measurements’, have been addressed for local QFT measurements that are formulated as local scattering maps. I will focus on the analysis of causality in the detector model approach to QFT measurements, where the local scattering maps are induced by non-relativistic probes coupled to the field. Finally, I will briefly discuss the limitations of the local scattering paradigm.  

This talk will be mostly based on joint work with D. Fraser (Note on episodes in the history of modeling measurements in local spacetime regions using QFT, D. Fraser, MP, EPJ H 48, 14, 2023).