Some Observable Effects of the Quantum-Mechanical Fluctuations of the Electromagnetic Field

Theodore A. Welton
Phys. Rev. 74, 1157 – Published 1 November 1948
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Abstract

An intuitive explanation is given for the electromagnetic shift of energy levels by calculating the mean square amplitude of oscillation of an electron coupled to the zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. The resulting disturbance of the charge and current density of the electron gives rise to various observable effects which can be estimated in a simple classical fashion. The effects treated are the Lamb shift, the correction to the g-factor for the orbital and spin angular momenta of the electron, and the correction to the Compton scattering cross section at low energies. A simple explanation is also given for the peculiar ultraviolet divergence noticed by Pauli and Fierz in their treatment of the infra-red paradox.

  • Received 4 June 1948

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.74.1157

©1948 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Theodore A. Welton*

  • Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

  • *Now at the Randal Morgan Laboratory of Physics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Issue

Vol. 74, Iss. 9 — November 1948

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