The Problem of Radiation Reaction in Classical Electrodynamics

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A new covariant theory of the classical radiating electron is compared with other radiation reaction theories: On the one hand, the new theory can be deduced from Caldirola's finite-dif-ferences theory by suitable approximations; on the other hand, the Lorentz-Dirac theory and the theory of Mo and Papas are shown to be approximative forms of the new theory. The latter is free from the difficulties of the other theories: there are no undetermined internal oscillations, no runaway solutions and pre-acceleration effects, and radiation reaction exists in the case of one-dimensional motion. The general energy-momentum balance is studied, and the implications of the existence of radiation reaction in a static constant force field are discussed with regard to the principle of equivalence.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: