Renormalization and radiation reaction in 2+1 electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper investigates the self-action problem of an electric charge in 2+1 dimensional spacetime, analyzing radiation reaction, self-force, and mass variation, with implications for superfluid helium film dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of self-action and radiation reaction in 2+1 electrodynamics, including mass variation and non-local effects, connecting to superfluid film behavior.

Findings

Self-force includes local and non-local terms ensuring finite self-action.

Electromagnetic waves propagate at all speeds up to light speed in 2+1 dimensions.

Time-dependent inertial mass results from self-interaction.

Abstract

We consider a self-action problem for an electric charge arbitrarily moving in flat spacetime of three dimensions. Its electromagnetic field satisfies the Maxwell equations in Minkowski space of three dimensions. In this space electromagnetic waves propagate not just at a speed of light, but also at all speeds smaller than or equal to the speed of light. The massive particle may "fill" its own field, which acts on it just like an external one. The radiation reaction is determined by Lorentz force of point-like charge acting upon itself plus non-local term which provides finiteness of the self-action. The self-force produces a time-changing inertial mass. The relation between (2+1)-electrodynamics and dynamics of superfluid 4He film is emphasized.