On the self-force in electrodynamics and implications for gravity

TL;DR

This paper examines the self-force acting on charged particles in different electromagnetic theories, analyzing finiteness and renormalization, and discusses potential implications for gravitational self-force theories.

Contribution

It compares self-force properties across Maxwell, Born-Infeld, and Bopp-Podolsky theories and explores possible impacts on gravity self-force understanding.

Findings

Self-force finiteness varies across theories.

Mass renormalization may not be necessary in some models.

Implications for gravitational self-force are discussed.

Abstract

We consider the motion of charged point particles on Minkowski spacetime. The questions of whether the self-force is finite and whether mass renormalisation is necessary are discussed within three theories: In the standard Maxwell vacuum theory, in the non-linear Born-Infeld theory and in the higher-order Bopp-Podolsky theory. In a final section we comment on possible implications for the theory of the self-force in gravity.