On the covariant equations of motion with explicit radiation damping: I. General formalism

Abstract

On the basis of the conservation of energy-momentum and angular momentum the general form of the equations of motion of a point particle possessing an arbitrary number of multipole moments is established. It is seen that the asymptotic condition of uniform motion in the remote past plays an essential role in the derivation. The effects of the radiation reaction are taken into account in the form of a radiation reaction force and torque which are zero if and only if the particle does not radiate. It is shown that the infinities associated with a point-particle model may be subtracted so that the energy-momentum and inner angular momentum of the particle become finite.