From First Principles of QED to an Application: Hyperfine Structure of P States of Muonic Hydrogen

TL;DR

This paper reviews the applications of quantum electrodynamics (QED) in various fields and applies the formalism to predict the hyperfine structure of P states in muonic hydrogen, highlighting both theoretical and practical aspects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of QED applications and demonstrates its use in calculating the hyperfine structure of muonic hydrogen P states.

Findings

Overview of QED applications in fundamental and applied physics

Application of QED formalism to muonic hydrogen hyperfine structure

Insights into theoretical treatment of infinities in QED

Abstract

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, we attempt to give a brief overview of the different application areas of quantum electrodynamics (QED). These include fundamental physics (prediction of atomic energy levels), where the atom may be exposed to additional external fields (hyperfine splitting and g factor). We also mention QED processes in highly intense laser fields, and more applied areas like Casimir and Casimir--Polder interactions. Both the unifying aspects as well as the differences in the the theoretical treatment required by these application areas (such as the treatment of infinities) are highlighted. Second, we discuss an application of the formalism in the fundamentally interesting area of the prediction of energy levels, namely, the hyperfine structure of P states of muonic hydrogen.