Quantum field theory and classical optics: determining the fine structure constant

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 c = 1/root e...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Leuchs, Gerd, Hawton, Margaret, Sánchez Soto, Luis Lorenzo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/18107
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/18107
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:535
Electrodynamics
Óptica (Física)
2209.19 Óptica Física
Descripción
Sumario: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 c = 1/root epsilon(0)mu(0) The other one, Z(0) = root mu(0)/epsilon(0) = 1/(c epsilon(0)) and its relation to the quantum vacuum, is discussed in this contribution. Deriving epsilon(0) from the properties of the quantum vacuum implies the derivation of the fine structure constant.