Arrow of electromagnetic time and the generalized absorber theory

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Found. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00732064· OSTI ID:5668068

Cramer, J G

The problem of the direction of electromagnetic time, i.e., the complete dominance of retarded electromagnetic radiation over advanced radiation in the universe, is considered in the context of a generalized form of the Wheeler--Feynman absorber theory in an open expanding universe with a singularity at T = 0. It is shown that the application of a four-vector reflection boundary condition at the singularity leads to the observed dominance of retarded radiation; it also clarifies the role of advanced and retarded waves in the emission of very weakly absorbed radiation such as neutrinos.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, FM-15, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
• OSTI ID: 5668068
• Journal Information: Found. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Found. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 13:9; ISSN FNDPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
657007 -- Electricity & Magnetism-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETISM
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
LEPTONS
MAGNETISM
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEUTRINOS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
SINGULARITY
T INVARIANCE
UNIVERSE
WAVE EQUATIONS