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Consistency of a causal theory of radiative reaction with the optical theorem

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)
The (nonrelativistic) Abraham-Lorentz equation of motion for a point electron, while suffering from runaway solutions and an acausal response to external forces, is compatible with the optical theorem. We show that a nonrelativistic theory of radiative reaction that allows for a finite charge distribution is not only causal and free of runaway solutions but also consistent with the optical theorem and the standard formulas for the Rayleigh and Thomson scattering cross sections.
OSTI ID:
22072236
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 84; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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