Self-force of a point charge in the space-time of a symmetric wormhole

TL;DR

This paper investigates the self-force on a static electric charge in a symmetric wormhole space-time, deriving explicit formulas for different throat profiles and showing the force is always attractive.

Contribution

It introduces a general method to compute the self-force in wormhole geometries and provides explicit results for specific and arbitrary symmetric throat profiles.

Findings

Self-force is attractive for the considered wormhole profiles.

Explicit formulas for self-force are derived for singular and smooth throat geometries.

Far from the throat, the self-force remains attractive.

Abstract

We consider the self-energy and the self-force for an electrically charged particle at rest in the wormhole space-time. We develop general approach and apply it to two specific profiles of the wormhole throat with singular and with smooth curvature. The self-force for these two profiles is found in manifest form; it is an attractive force. We also find an expression for the self-force in the case of arbitrary symmetric throat profile. Far from the throat the self-force is always attractive.