Consistency of a causal theory of radiative reaction with the optical theorem

F. Intravaia, R. Behunin, P. W. Milonni, G. W. Ford, R. F. O'Connell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The (nonrelativistic) Abraham-Lorentz equation of motion for a point electron, while suffering from runaway solutions and an acausal response to external forces, is compatible with the optical theorem. We show that a nonrelativistic theory of radiative reaction that allows for a finite charge distribution is not only causal and free of runaway solutions but also consistent with the optical theorem and the standard formulas for the Rayleigh and Thomson scattering cross sections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number035801
JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Volume84
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 29 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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