Simulation of the hydrogen ground state in Stochastic Electrodynamics-2: Inclusion of relativistic corrections

TL;DR

This paper extends previous stochastic electrodynamics simulations of the hydrogen ground state by including relativistic corrections, finding minimal impact on results and suggesting the point-charge approximation may be a limitation.

Contribution

The study incorporates relativistic corrections into SED simulations of hydrogen, highlighting their limited effect and questioning the point-charge approximation's validity.

Findings

Relativistic corrections have little impact on the hydrogen ground state in SED.

Self-ionisation persists even after including relativistic effects.

Point-charge approximation may be a key factor in the model's failure.

Abstract

In a recent paper [arXiv:1502.06856] the authors studied numerically the hydrogen ground state in stochastic electrodynamics (SED) within the the non-relativistic approximation. In quantum theory the leading non-relativistic corrections to the ground state energy dominate the Lamb shift related to the photon cloud that should cause the quantum-like behaviour of SED. The present work takes these corrections into account in the numerical modelling. It is found that they have little effect; the self-ionisation that occurs without them remains present. It is speculated that the point-charge approximation for the electron is the cause of the failure.