Remarks on Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory

TL;DR

This paper critically examines Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory, highlighting its deviations from classical electrodynamics, limitations to stationary processes, and an interpretative error, suggesting quantum reformulation as a potential solution.

Contribution

It provides a detailed critique of absorber theory's foundational assumptions, identifies key limitations, and proposes quantum theory as a way to address these issues.

Findings

Absorber theory cannot achieve essential results without deviation from classical electrodynamics.

The theory's applicability is limited to stationary radiation processes.

An interpretative error in Wheeler and Feynman's original formulation is identified.

Abstract

The derivation of absorber theory is outlined in very detail. Absorber theory is based on classical action-at-a-distance electrodynamics, but it deviates from that theory at a crucial point. It is shown that (a) absorber theory cannot achieve any of it's essential results without this deviation, and that (b) this deviation restricts the application range of absorber theory to stationary radiation processes. Furthermore an error which crept into Wheeler's and Feynman's interpretation of their equation (19) is pointed out. These shortcomings can probably be eliminated by a quantum-theoretical formulation of absorber theory.