Motion of a particle with extrinsic curvature in an electromagnetic field

Abstract

The equations of motion for a particle whose free Lagrangian involves not only the arc length of its trajectory, but also its extrinsic curvature, is known to imply that the particle follows a helical path. We examine the parameters associated with this path to see if it can provide a realistic classical model for an electron. The radiation emitted by this point particle while following its helical trajectory is considered, and found to be well below the rest energy of the electron when the helical velocity of the electron is chosen to be 10–4c. PACS No.: 11:15Kc