Radiation reaction in nonrelativistic quantum theory. [Review]

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6160938

Sharp, D H

Some recent work is reviewed on the quantum theory of radiation reaction. The starting point is the Heisenberg operator equation of motion for a nonrelativistic point electron coupled to the quantized electromagnetic field. It is shown that this equation, in contrast to its classical counterpart, leads to a finite value for the electrostatic self-energy of a point electron and, for values of the fine structure constant ..cap alpha.. approximately less than 1, admits neither runaway behavior nor noncausal motion. Furthermore, the correspondence limit of the solution to the quantum mechanical equation of motion agrees with that of the Lorentz--Dirac theory in the classical regime, but without the imposition of additional conditions and with no possibility of observable noncausality. Thus, a consistent picture of a classical point electron emerges in the correspondence limit of the quantum mechanical theory. 17 references.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6160938
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-79-357; CONF-790428-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645202* -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Theoretical-- Electromagnetic Interactions & Properties
657002 -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Classical & Quantum Mechanics
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
FERMIONS
FINE STRUCTURE
HEISENBERG PICTURE
LEPTONS
MATHEMATICAL OPERATORS
MECHANICS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
QUANTUM OPERATORS
REVIEWS
SELF-ENERGY