Statistics – Applications
Scientific paper
Aug 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004cqgra..21r.153p&link_type=abstract
Classical and Quantum Gravity, Volume 21, Issue 16, pp. R153-R232 (2004).
Statistics
Applications
12
Scientific paper
This review is concerned with the motion of a point scalar charge, a point electric charge and a point mass in a specified background spacetime. In each of these three cases the particle produces a field that behaves as outgoing radiation in the wave zone, and therefore removes energy from the particle. In the near zone, the field acts on the particle and gives rise to a self-force that prevents the particle from moving on a geodesic of the background spacetime. The self-force contains both conservative and dissipative terms, and the latter are responsible for the radiation reaction. The work done by the self-force matches the energy radiated away by the particle. The field's action on the particle is difficult to calculate because of its singular behaviour: the field diverges at the position of the particle. But Detweiler and Whiting have given a prescription to unambiguously isolate the field's singular part; their singular field obeys the same wave equation as the original field and it can be shown not to exert a force on the particle. What remains after subtraction is a smooth field that is fully responsible for the self-force. Because this field satisfies a homogeneous wave equation, it can be thought of as a free (radiative) field that interacts with the particle; it is this interaction that gives rise to the self-force. The mathematical tools required to derive the equations of motion of a point scalar charge, a point electric charge and a point mass in a specified background spacetime are developed here from scratch. The review begins with a discussion of the basic theory of bitensors and some of its applications. It continues with a thorough discussion of Green's functions in curved spacetime. It concludes with a detailed derivation of each of the three equations of motion.
No associations
LandOfFree
TOPICAL REVIEW: Radiation reaction of point particles in curved spacetime does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with TOPICAL REVIEW: Radiation reaction of point particles in curved spacetime, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and TOPICAL REVIEW: Radiation reaction of point particles in curved spacetime will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1171374