The Electromagnetic Equations in the Quantum Theory

H. T. Flint

Abstract The form of the wave equation for a non-rotating electron suggests that it enters into the theory very much in the same way as the wave equation associated with electromagnetic theory. It would be expected to be derivable from equations of the first order corresponding to Maxwell's equations. It has been suggested that the function Ψ might enter by means of a relation such as s = grad Ψ (1) where s replaces the current four vector of the electromagnetic theory. The difficulty in connection with this procedure is to account for the phenomena associated with electronic rotation. Dirac has shown how to overcome this difficulty and has derived first order equations which can be derived from generalisations of Maxwell's equations. There are certain difficulties with regard to the form of Dirac's results which have been much discussed and some of them have been removed. There are two unsatisfactory points in the treatment of this question. One is the introduction of an operator (h/2πi ∂/∂xα - eϕα) into the equations when it is desired to pass from a non-electromagnetic problem to one in which an electromagnetic field is present. The second difficulty lies in the occurrence of a term in mc. Darwin has pointed out this difficulty and considers that it is due to our inability to calculate electromagnetic mass in the quantum theory.

Jan Peřina

Andrey Akhmeteli

Is it possible to offer a "no drama" quantum theory? Something as simple (in principle) as classical electrodynamics - a theory described by a system of partial differential equations in 3+1 dimensions, but reproducing unitary evolution of a quantum field theory in the configuration space? The following results suggest an affirmative answer: 1. The scalar field can be algebraically eliminated from scalar electrodynamics; the resulting equations describe independent evolution of the electromagnetic field. 2. After introduction of a complex 4-potential (producing the same electromagnetic field as the standard real 4-potential), the spinor field can be algebraically eliminated from spinor electrodynamics; the resulting equations describe independent evolution of the electromagnetic field. 3. The resulting theories for the electromagnetic field can be embedded into quantum field theories. Another fundamental result: in a general case, the Dirac equation is equivalent to a 4th order partial differential equations for just one component, which can be made real by a gauge transform. Issues related to the Bell theorem are discussed.

Iwo Białynicki‐Birula, Zofia Białynicka-Birula

Ching-Chuan Su

The theory of Quantum Electromagnetics presents a wave equation which is constructed, in compliance with Galilean transformations, for electromagnetic and matter waves. A fundamental feature entirely different from the principle of relativity is that the wave equation is referred specifically to the proposed local-ether frame. For electromagnetic wave, the local-ether wave equation accounts for a wide variety of experiments on propagation and interference. For matter wave, the wave equation leads to modifications of Schrodinger’s equation which in turn lead to a unified quantum theory of electromagnetic and gravitational forces in conjunction with the origin and the identity of inertial and gravitational mass. Further, it leads to modifications of the Lorentz force law and of Maxwell’s equations. Moreover, the wave equation leads to the dispersion of matter wave, from which the speed-dependence in the mass of a particle and in the wavelength, angular frequency, and quantum energy of a matter wave can be derived. The consequences of the wave equation are in accord with a wide variety of experiments that are commonly ascribed to the special relativity, the general relativity, the Lorentz mass-variation law, or to the de Broglie matter wave. Thereby, the local-ether wave equation unifies quantum mechanics, electromagnetics, and gravitation.

Jan Peřina