QED Response of the Vacuum

Leuchs G, Hawton M, Sanchez-Soto LL (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Physics MDPI

Book Volume: 2

Pages Range: 14-21

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.3390/physics2010002

Abstract

We present a new perspective on the link between quantum electrodynamics (QED) and Maxwell’s equations. We demonstrate that the interpretation of the electric displacement vector D = ε0 E, where E is the electric field vector and ε0 is the permittivity of the vacuum, as vacuum polarization is consistent with QED. A free electromagnetic field polarizes the vacuum, but the polarization and magnetization currents cancel giving zero source current. The speed of light is a universal constant, while the fine structure constant, which couples the electromagnetic field to matter runs, as it should.

Authors with CRIS profile

Gerhard Leuchs

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

Germany (DE) Lakehead University

Canada (CA)

How to cite

APA:

Leuchs, G., Hawton, M., & Sanchez-Soto, L.L. (2020). QED Response of the Vacuum. Physics, 2(1), 14-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/physics2010002

MLA:

Leuchs, Gerd, Margaret Hawton, and Luis L. Sanchez-Soto. "QED Response of the Vacuum." Physics 2.1 (2020): 14-21.

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