Radiation Reaction of an accelerating Point Charge: A new Approach

Abstract

Abraham Lorentz (AL) formula of Radiation Reaction and its relativistic generalization, Abraham Lorentz Dirac (ALD) formula, are valid only for periodic (accelerated) motion of a charged particle, where the particle returns back to its original state. Thus, they both represent time averaged solutions for radiation reaction force. In this paper, another expression has been derived for radiation reaction following a new approach, starting from Larmor formula, considering instantaneous change (rather than periodic change) in velocity, which is a more realistic situation. Further, it has been also shown that the new expression for Radiation Reaction is free of pathological solutions; which were unpleasant parts of AL as well as ALD equations; and remained unresolved for about 100 years.