Blackbody Radiation and the Scaling Symmetry of Relativistic Classical Electron Theory with Classical Electromagnetic Zero-Point Radiation

TL;DR

This paper explores how relativistic classical electron theory with zero-point radiation exhibits a scaling symmetry that helps understand classical thermal radiation spectra beyond the Rayleigh-Jeans law.

Contribution

It identifies a scaling symmetry in relativistic classical electron theory with zero-point radiation, providing insights into equilibrium radiation spectra.

Findings

The theory's scale invariance separates matter-radiation interaction from scale parameters.

Zero-point radiation remains invariant under scattering by charged particles.

The paper illustrates matter-radiation interaction with a simple relativistic electromagnetic example.

Abstract

It is pointed out that relativistic classical electron theory with classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation has a scaling symmetry which is suitable for understanding the equilibrium behavior of classical thermal radiation at a spectrum other than the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum. In relativistic classical electron theory, the masses of the particles are the only scale-giving parameters associated with mechanics while the action-angle variables are scale invariant. The theory thus separates the interaction of the action variables of matter and radiation from the scale-giving parameters. Classical zero-point radiation is invariant under scattering by the charged particles of relativistic classical electron theory. The basic ideas of the matter -radiation interaction are illustrated in a simple relativistic classical electromagnetic example.