Quantum-Classical Correspondence in Nonrelativistic Electrodynamics

Technical Report · Thu Oct 14 04:00:00 EDT 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/793702· OSTI ID:793702

Ritchie, A B ^[1]; Weatherford, C A

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1. LLNL

A form of classical electrodynamic field exists which gives exact agreement with the operator field of quantum electrodynamics (QED) for the Lamb shift of a harmonically bound point electron. Here it is pointed out that this form of classical theory with its physically acceptable interpretation is the result of an unconventional resolution of a mathematically ambiguous term in classical field theory. Finally a quantum-classical correspondence principle is shown to exist in the sense that the classical field and expectation value of the QED operator field are identical if retardation is neglected in the latter.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP) (US)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 793702
• Report Number(s): UCRL-ID-136074
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
EXPECTATION VALUE
LAMB SHIFT
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
RESOLUTION