The quantum theory of the electromagnetic field

El-Nadi, M. A.M.

(1948)

El-Nadi, M. A.M. (1948) The quantum theory of the electromagnetic field.

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Abstract

The present work is concerned with de Broglie's quantum theory of light. It is assumed that the photon is described by a Hermitian wave function with 16 components. Using this wave function it is shown that the 32 of de Broglie's equations are reduced to one set of 16 equations in the form: [equation] where the [alpha]'[rho] are Dirac matrices and [psi] is a matrix with 16 components. The electromagnetic quantities associated with the photon are described by means of the Dirac matrices operating on [psi] in a specified way. It is shown also that these electromagnetic quantities satisfy Maxwell's equations as a result of the equation the interaction between an electron and a photon is developed and the matrix elements for the radiation transitions are calculated. It is further shown that the above wave equation can be considered as the superposition of two similar wave equations, one for the positive energy photons and the other for the negative energy photons. To each of these states there corresponds electromagnetic quantities defined by the above method. It is the superposition of these fields which gives rise to the reality of the electromagnetic field, found in experience. The wave mechanics of the positive energy photon is discussed and the method of second quantization is applied to its wave function, from which we deduce the commutation relations for the complex fields.

Information about this Version

This is a Accepted version
This version's date is: 1948
This item is not peer reviewed

Link to this Version

https://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/c0a74ed9-c98b-439a-8f1d-a521dcbe6db3/1/

Item TypeThesis (Doctoral)
TitleThe quantum theory of the electromagnetic field
AuthorsEl-Nadi, M. A.M.
Uncontrolled KeywordsQuantum Physics; Electromagnetics; Pure Sciences; Pure Sciences; Electromagnetic; Field; Quantum; Quantum Theory Of Light; Quantum Theory Of Light; Theory
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Identifiers

ISBN978-1-339-62010-7

Deposited by () on 31-Jan-2017 in Royal Holloway Research Online.Last modified on 31-Jan-2017

Notes

Digitised in partnership with ProQuest, 2015-2016. Institution: University of London, Bedford College (United Kingdom).


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