Wheeler–Feynman absorber theory

Wikipedia - Recent changes [en] - Sunday, April 5, 2026

Included EOM

← Previous revision Revision as of 23:44, 4 April 2026 Line 5: Line 5:



where <math> c = 1. </math> where <math> c = 1. </math>
Resulting Equations of Motion are<math>m_{0,a}\frac{\mathrm{d}^2 z^\mu_a}{\mathrm d\tau_a}=\tfrac 12q_au_{\nu,a}(\tau_a)\sum_{b\ne a}F^{\mu\nu}_b(z_a),</math> where time-symmetric fields are only allowed, since action S describes in this case the „initial interaction“ between charged particles, causing time-asymmetric fields which lead afterwards to reaction forces, such as the Lorentz-Abraham-Dirac force.

The absorber theory is invariant under [[T-symmetry|time-reversal]] transformation, consistent with the lack of any physical basis for microscopic time-reversal symmetry breaking. Another key principle resulting from this interpretation, and somewhat reminiscent of [[Mach's principle]] and the work of [[Hugo Tetrode]], is that elementary particles are not self-interacting. This immediately removes the problem of electron [[self-energy]] giving an infinity in the energy of an electromagnetic field.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=J. A. |last1=Wheeler |first2=R. P. |last2=Feynman |title=Classical Electrodynamics in Terms of Direct Interparticle Action |journal=[[Reviews of Modern Physics]] |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=425–433 |date=July 1949 |doi=10.1103/RevModPhys.21.425 |bibcode = 1949RvMP...21..425W |doi-access=free }} The absorber theory is invariant under [[T-symmetry|time-reversal]] transformation, consistent with the lack of any physical basis for microscopic time-reversal symmetry breaking. Another key principle resulting from this interpretation, and somewhat reminiscent of [[Mach's principle]] and the work of [[Hugo Tetrode]], is that elementary particles are not self-interacting. This immediately removes the problem of electron [[self-energy]] giving an infinity in the energy of an electromagnetic field.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=J. A. |last1=Wheeler |first2=R. P. |last2=Feynman |title=Classical Electrodynamics in Terms of Direct Interparticle Action |journal=[[Reviews of Modern Physics]] |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=425–433 |date=July 1949 |doi=10.1103/RevModPhys.21.425 |bibcode = 1949RvMP...21..425W |doi-access=free }} Line 73: Line 75: === Transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics=== === Transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics=== {{Main article|Transactional interpretation}} {{Main article|Transactional interpretation}}
Again inspired by the Wheeler–Feynman absorber theory, the transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics (TIQM) first proposed in 1986 by [[John G. Cramer]],<ref name="Cramer 1986">{{cite journal Again inspired by the Wheeler–Feynman absorber theory, the transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics (TIQM) first proposed in 1986 by [[John G. Cramer]],<ref name="Cramer 1986">{{cite journal |last1=Cramer |first1=John G. |last1=Cramer |first1=John G.