On radiation reaction and the [x,p ] commutator for an accelerating charge

Abstract

We formally state the connection between the relativistic part of the radiation reaction and the Poynting Robertson force term, $-Rv/c^2$, where $R$ is power radiated. Then we address the question, does $[x,p]=i \hb$ for an accelerating charge ? The full radiation reaction term is used, which includes the relativistic term (von Laue vector.). We show that the full relativistic radiation reaction term must be taken into account if a commutation relation between $x$ and $p$ is to hold for an electron under uniform acceleration, consistent with the expectation values of $x^2$ and $p^2$.