Point-source idealization in classical field theories. I. Electromagnetic radiation damping of a system of two perturbed Reissner-Nordstroem singularities in the slow-motion limit

Journal Article · Sat May 15 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · Phys. Rev. D; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.25.2487· OSTI ID:5432300

Kates, R E

This paper calculates the leading resistive accelerations acting on a system of two slightly deformed Reissner-Nordstroem singularities due to the emission of electromagnetic radiation, using matched asymptotic expansions. The unperturbed Reissner-Nordstroem solutions are assumed to have large charge-to-mass ratios q/m and to be separated by a distance large compared to both m and q/sup 2//m. The problem is of interest primarily because of Rosenblum's use of point singularities in his calculation of the mechanical work done in small-angle gravitational scattering. Classical derivations of the electromagnetic equations of motion for a charged source were faced with the choice between indeterminate equations and divergences in the stress-energy. The use of asymptotic expansions about Reissner-Nordstroem solutions makes renormalization arguments unnecessary. The following paper compares the mechanical energy loss obtained from the present matching calculation to that predicted by the Lorentz-Dirac equation; which was derived using a point-particle assumption.

• Research Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
• OSTI ID: 5432300
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. D; (United States), Vol. 25:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
POINT SOURCES
FIELD THEORIES
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
DIRAC EQUATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY LOSSES
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
RENORMALIZATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
LOSSES
MECHANICS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
WAVE EQUATIONS
645400* - High Energy Physics- Field Theory