Radiation reaction and the pitch angle changes for a charge undergoing synchrotron losses

Abstract

In the derivation of synchrotron radiation formulas it has been assumed that the pitch angle of a charge remains constant during the radiation process. However from the radiation reaction formula, while the component of the velocity vector perpendicular to the magnetic field reduces in magnitude due to radiative losses, the parallel component does not undergo any change during radiation. Therefore there is a change in the ratio of the two components, implying a change in the pitch angle. We derive the exact formula for the change in energy of radiating electrons by taking into account the change of the pitch angle due to radiative losses. From this we derive the characteristic decay time of synchrotron electrons over which they turn from highly relativistic into mildly relativistic ones.