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Title: Quantum electrodynamics based on self-fields: Cavity effects

Abstract

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} ismore » 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.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5243654
Resource Type:
Thesis/Dissertation
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; 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

Citation Formats

Dowling, J P. Quantum electrodynamics based on self-fields: Cavity effects. United States: N. p., 1988. Web.
Dowling, J P. Quantum electrodynamics based on self-fields: Cavity effects. United States.
Dowling, J P. 1988. "Quantum electrodynamics based on self-fields: Cavity effects". United States.
@article{osti_5243654,
title = {Quantum electrodynamics based on self-fields: Cavity effects},
author = {Dowling, J P},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5243654}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988},
month = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988}
}

Thesis/Dissertation:
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