What is 'real' in electromagnetism

Based on the theoretical derivation and experimental data, the declaration that the quantum theory of light can contain the classical electromagnetic theory of light is oppugned, and two dead-points are put forward. One is the nonconservation of the energy of the electromagnetic field before and after quantization due to a number of zero point energy, and the other is that the real electromagnetic wave, as a matter, will lose its real material nature in theory, or only as a substitute of photons. Finally, a crucial experiment is designed to demonstrate and compare the accuracy of quantum theory and classical electromagnetic theory in the classical condition.Based on the theoretical derivation and experimental data, the declaration that the quantum theory of light can contain the classical electromagnetic theory of light is oppugned, and two dead-points are put forward. One is the nonconservation of the energy of the electromagnetic field before and after quantization due to a number of zero point energy, and the other is that the real electromagnetic wave, as a matter, will lose its real material nature in theory, or only as a substitute of photons. Finally, a crucial experiment is designed to demonstrate and compare the accuracy of quantum theory and classical electromagnetic theory in the classical condition.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIEAug 20, 20091 citation

A Unified Propagation Geometry for Matter and Electromagnetism

Gracia, Jose

For more than a century, quantum mechanics and electromagnetism have been taught as fundamentally different kinds of theories: one built from a single wavefunction, the other from two real fields that generate each other. This work shows that the difference was never essential. Beneath the familiar formalism, both matter and light share the same underlying architecture: each is a real two‑component system whose parts sustain one another through first‑order propagation. In this framework, the wavefunction is not an abstract complex object but a real pair of internal quadratures selected by a physical clock axis. Maxwell’s electric and magnetic fields are another such pair, selected by the same axis and transported by the same geometric connection. The unity is not metaphorical — it is encoded directly in the action. The same internal direction that determines matter’s internal rotation also determines the electromagnetic sector that survives at long range. Nothing in this reinterpretation alters the tested predictions of quantum mechanics or electromagnetism. What changes is the meaning: phase becomes real geometry, the wavefunction becomes a two‑quadrature field, and electromagnetism emerges as the about‑axis transport of the same clock structure that governs matter. This reveals a simple, coherent propagation principle underlying two pillars of physics.For more than a century, quantum mechanics and electromagnetism have been taught as fundamentally different kinds of theories: one built from a single wavefunction, the other from two real fields that generate each other. This work shows that the difference was never essential. Beneath the familiar formalism, both matter and light share the same underlying architecture: each is a real two‑component system whose parts sustain one another through first‑order propagation. In this framework, the wavefunction is not an abstract complex object but a real pair of internal quadratures selected by a physical clock axis. Maxwell’s electric and magnetic fields are another such pair, selected by the same axis and transported by the same geometric connection. The unity is not metaphorical — it is encoded directly in the action. The same internal direction that determines matter’s internal rotation also determines the electromagnetic sector that survives at long range. Nothing in this reinterpretation alters the tested predictions of quantum mechanics or electromagnetism. What changes is the meaning: phase becomes real geometry, the wavefunction becomes a two‑quadrature field, and electromagnetism emerges as the about‑axis transport of the same clock structure that governs matter. This reveals a simple, coherent propagation principle underlying two pillars of physics.

Jan 5, 20260 citations

A Real Quantum Electrodynamics

Roger Boudet

Springer eBooksJan 1, 20110 citations

Electromagnetism as Quantum Physics

Charles T. Sebens

arXiv:1902.01930Foundations of PhysicsMar 19, 201928 citations

Photon quantum mechanics in real Hilbert space

Margaret Hawton

Classically, electromagnetic pulses are described by real fields that couple to charged matter and propagate causally. We will show here that real fields of the form used in standard classical electromagnetic theory have a quantum mechanical interpretation in which the probability density for a photon to be at $\mathbf{x}$ is positive definite and operators representing all of the standard physical observables exist. A covariant alternative to the ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{k}^{1/2}$ dependence that appears in most (but not all) presentations of quantum optics and quantum field theory is presented and real Lorentz scalar one-photon advanced and retarded potentials are derived.Classically, electromagnetic pulses are described by real fields that couple to charged matter and propagate causally. We will show here that real fields of the form used in standard classical electromagnetic theory have a quantum mechanical interpretation in which the probability density for a photon to be at $\mathbf{x}$ is positive definite and operators representing all of the standard physical observables exist. A covariant alternative to the ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{k}^{1/2}$ dependence that appears in most (but not all) presentations of quantum optics and quantum field theory is presented and real Lorentz scalar one-photon advanced and retarded potentials are derived.

arXiv:2107.03262Physical Review ANov 17, 202115 citations

\mathbf{x}

is positive definite and operators representing all of the standard physical observables exist. A covariant alternative to the ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{k}^{1/2}$ dependence that appears in most (but not all) presentations of quantum optics and quantum field theory is presented and real Lorentz scalar one-photon advanced and retarded potentials are derived.