Introduction to Electrodynamics and Radiation introduces the reader to electrodynamics and radiation, with emphasis on the microscopic theory of electricity and magnetism. Nonrelativistic quantum electrodynamics (QED) is presented as a logical outgrowth of the classical theory, both relativistic and nonrelativistic. The advanced mathematical and diagrammatic techniques of the relativistic quantum field theory are also described in a simple and easily understood manner.
Comprised of 16 chapters, this book opens with an overview of the special theory of relativity and some of its consequences. The following chapters deal with classical relativistic electrodynamics, touching on topics such as tensor analysis and Riemannian spaces; radiation from charged particles; radiation scattering from electrons; and the classical theory of charged particles. The second part of the book is entirely quantum mechanical in outlook, beginning with the quantization of the Hamiltonian formulation of classical electrodynamics. The many-body formalism leading to Fock-space techniques is also considered, along with self-energies and renormalization. The final chapter is devoted to the covariant formulation of QED as well as the validity of QED.
This monograph is written primarily for graduate students in elementary classical and quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics courses.

Contenu

Preface
Acknowledgments
I. The Special Theory of Relativity
A. Newtonian Physics
B. Inclusion of the Electromagnetic Field
C. Resolution of the Problem
D. Some Consequences of Special Relativity
Problems
References
General References
II Tensor Analysis and N-Dimensional Geometry
A. N-Dimensional Spaces and Their Transformations
B. Scalars, Vectors, and Tensors
C. Riemannian Geometry
D. Tensor Calculus
E. Pseudotensors
Problems
References
General References
III. Space-Time of Special Relativity
A. Space-Time
B. Relativistic Classical Mechanics
Problems
References
IV. The Covariance of Classical Electrodynamics
A. Four-Vectors of Electrodynamics
B. Charged Particles and Conservation Laws
C. Potentials and Fields of Charged Particles
Problems
References
V. Radiation from Charged Particles
A. Accelerated Charges
B. Frequency and Angular Distributions of Radiation
C. Cerenkov Radiation
D. Transition Radiation
Problems
References
VI. Scattering Processes
A. Bremsstrahlung
B. Radiation Scattering from Electrons
C. Summary
Problems
References
VII. The Classical Electron
A. Classical Theory of Charged Particles
B . The Relativistic Electron
C. Applications of the Theory
Problems
References
VIII. Canonical Formulation of Classical Electrodynamics
A. The Pure Radiation Field
B. Field and Particles Combined
Problems
References
IX. Quantization of the Radiation Field
A. Direct Quantization
B. Photons
C. Coherent Photon States
Problems
References
X. The Quantum Mechanics of N-Particle Systems
A. Identical Particles
B. The Number Representation
C. Fock Space
Problems
References
XI. Methods of Calculation
A. Coupled System of Radiation and Charged Particles
B . The Calculational Problem
C. The Interaction Picture
D. Diagrammatic Analysis of Electrodynamic Processes
Problems
References
XII. Application to Classical Processes
A. Thomson Scattering
B. Non-relativistic Bremsstrahlung
C. Coulomb Scattering
Problems
References
XIII. Quantum Mechanical Processes
A. Photon Emission and Absorption
B . The Atomic Photoelectric Effect
C. Scattering of Light from Atoms
Problems
References
XIV. Self-Energies and Renormalization
A. Higher-Order Calculations
B . Self-Energy of the Electron
Problems
References
XV. Radiative Corrections and the Infrared Problem
A. The Lamb Shift
B. Radiative Corrections to Thomson Scattering
C. Radiative Corrections to Coulomb Scattering
Problems
References
XVI. Covariant Quantum Electrodynamics
A. Manifestly Covariant Formulation of QED
B. Relativistic Forms of Some Previous Results
C. Some Inherently Relativistic Processes
D. Conceptual Problems and the Validity of QED
References
Appendix A. The Covariant Derivative
References
Appendix B. Ground State of the Many-Electron System
References
Appendix C. The Quantum Theory of Scattering
References
Index