Dynamical Image Potential of a Point Charge Approaching a Metal Sphere

Abstract

AbstractThe dynamical image potential for a point charge approaching a metal sphere is calculated; it shows a pronounced dependence on the velocity and on the impact parameter of the moving charge. The moving of the point charge causes a change in the value of the image potential and renders it finite at the metal surface. For higher velocities the dynamical image potential tends to zero. However, for large distances between point charge and center of the sphere, the dynamical image potential hardly deviates from the classical image potential.