Students who have studied classical electrodynamics are familiar
with the Lienard-Wiechert 4-potentials and with their associated
fields. These fields are used for a clear distinction between
velocity fields and acceleration fields. The former are
independent of the charge's acceleration whereas the later
depend on it. Similarly, radiation fields are associated with
acceleration. Thus, one may think that acceleration fields and
radiation fields are identical. The following example proves that
this idea is incorrect. Consider a closed loop made of a
superconducting material and an electric current that flows along this
loop. Now assume that this kind of device can be constructed within
the framework of classical electrodynamics.
The system is time independent. Therefore, no radiation
is emitted from it. However, individual electrons moving
along the loop do accelerate. This simple example shows an
acceleration without radiation. Therefore, radiation fields and
acceleration fields are not identical.
A self-consistent definition of radiation fields is shown in the
following link. The paper proves that radiation fields really differ
from acceleration fields. In particular, acceleration fields are
a single-particle property whereas radiation fields depend on the
entire system of charges.
Let us examine the energy-momentum 4-vector of a motionless charge
and its electric field. Performing a Lorentz boost, one finds these
quantities in another reference frame. It turns out that the
calculation shows a factor 4/3 which multiplies the electromagnetic
momentum. An explanation of this point and a proof that special
relativity and Maxwellian electrodynamics are self-consistent
theories can be found in the following article together with some
references to earlier publications.
Note the discussion of
the Dirac equation in Section 2. In particular, see the five
conclusions beginning on p. 31. This section proves that for the Dirac
equation everything is self-consistent and that no additional assumption
is required for proving this issue.
Protecting Maxwellian Electrodynamics and Special Relativity.
More than a decade ago M. W. Evans has begun to publish a series of papers
claiming that circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation contains,
beside the transverse fields, a longitudinal magnetic field. He has
apparently convinced the Editor of Foundations of Physics and
Foundations of Physics Letters that he is an exceptionally
important physicist. Thus, these journals have published dozens
of Evans' papers that harp on the same string. Obviously, Evans'
claim contradicts well known properties of Maxwellian electrodynamics.
In particular, textbooks prove that radiation fields are transverse.
Realizing this state of affairs, I've decided to
present specific proofs showing that Evans'
claim is inconsistent with Maxwellian electrodynamics
and with special relativity as well. Different
proofs are included in the following articles together with
references to some of Evans' publications.
