Abstract
The properties of the vacuum are described by quantum physics including the response to external fields such as electromagnetic radiation. Of the two parameters that govern the details of the electromagnetic field dynamics in vacuum, one is fixed by the requirement of Lorentz invariance . The other one, and its relation to the quantum vacuum, is discussed in this contribution. Deriving ε0 from the properties of the quantum vacuum implies the derivation of the fine structure constant.
Highlights
At the starting point of the prototype quantum field theory, quantum electrodynamics (QED), are the equations of Maxwell and Dirac
Quantum field theory and classical optics: determining the fine structure constant. This content has been downloaded from IOPscience
This was before quarks were discovered at a time when one assumed that all charged elementary particles had the same electric charge e
Summary
Quantum field theory and classical optics: determining the fine structure constant. This content has been downloaded from IOPscience. Please scroll down to see the full text. Ser. 793 012017 (http://iopscience.iop.org/1742-6596/793/1/012017) View the table of contents for this issue, or go to the journal homepage for more Download details: IP Address: 147.96.14.15 This content was downloaded on 23/08/2017 at 15:51 Please note that terms and conditions apply.
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