Quantum Electromagnetic Rate Theory of the Electron and the Meaning of the Fine-Structure Constant

Abstract

In a previous work, the meaning of the Planck constant $h = \left( e^2 / 2 \alpha \right) \sqrt{\mu_0 / \epsilon_0}$, accomplished by solving Maxwell's electrodynamics laws with specific electric $1 / \tau_C = 1 / R_q C_q$ and magnetic $1/ \tau_L = R_q / L_q$ quantum rates for the ground-state dynamics, was reinterpreted. $R_q$, $C_q$ and $L_q$ are the resistance, capacitance and inductance quantum of the ground-state dynamics, respectively. Based on this quantum electromagnetic rate approach, here it is demonstrated that the intrinsic massless character that complies with Dirac quantum electrodynamics of the electron in its ground-state energy level is a consequence of a quantum electromagnetic phase coherence between $\tau_C$ and $\tau_L$ time constants of the oscillatory motion. The quantum mechanical uncertainties associated with $h$ are interpreted to be a consequence of perturbing the inherent electromagnetic phase coherence of the ground state with the loss of half of a byte of electromagnetic information per ``experimental'' perturbation, with the fine-structure constant $\alpha = \sqrt{\pi / 2 \left( \tau_L / \tau_C \right)} \sim 1/137$ playing a prominent role in the phenomenon.