Quantum electrodynamics based on self-fields: Cavity effects
Using the theory of quantum electrodynamics (QED) based on self-fields, as developed by Barut and his co-workers, the author formulates a method to compute the effect of nontrivial boundary conditions on QED-type radiative corrections. Has approach is novel in that the radiation field is not second quantized and there are no zeropoint field fluctuations; all corrections arise in a simple fashion when the self-field of a charged particle is made to satisfy the appropriate boundary conditions. He makes explicit calculations and predictions in the following cases: inhibition and enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate for a hydrogen atom near a single conducting plane, between two parallel planes and within a conducting sphere; the change of the Lamb shift and the associated Casimir-Polder van der Waals force for a hydrogen atom near a single conducting plane; and the change of the magnetic moment, mass and orbital frequency of an electron executing cyclotron motion near a single conducting wall. Has spontaneous emission and Lamb shift results compare well with existing experiments, and has magnetic moment calculation satisfactorily resolves a controversy in the recent literature over whether there exist boundary induced corrections of the spin precession frequency to order {alpha}, where {alpha} is the fine structure constant. He gives an overview of the self-field approach to QED versus the standard, second quantized approach. Finally, he indicates how, by generalizing the concept of boundary, one may use the self-field approach to compute such phenomena as: the Hawking and Unruh effects, whereby an event horizon gives rise to a perceived, uniform bath of thermal radiation; and further results involving Casimir-Polder van der Waals forces.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5243654
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
RADIATIVE CORRECTIONS
ATOMS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
HYDROGEN
LAMB SHIFT
MAGNETIC MOMENTS
MASS
QUANTIZATION
VAN DER WAALS FORCES
CORRECTIONS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELEMENTS
FIELD THEORIES
NONMETALS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
SPECTRAL SHIFT
645400* - High Energy Physics- Field Theory