Finite and divergent parts of the self-force of a point charge from its spherically averaged self-field

TL;DR

This paper calculates the electromagnetic self-force of a point charge, revealing the finite radiation reaction and divergent parts related to electromagnetic mass, using spherical averaging of the self-field.

Contribution

It introduces a method to separate the finite and divergent parts of the self-force through spherical averaging, connecting relativistic radiation reaction with electromagnetic mass.

Findings

Finite part corresponds to relativistic radiation reaction.

Divergent part relates to electromagnetic mass of Abraham.

Method clarifies self-force components for point charges.

Abstract

The electromagnetic self-force of a point charge moving arbitrarily on a rectilinear trajectory is calculated by averaging its retarded electric self-field over a sphere of infinitesimal radius centered on the charge's present position. The finite part of the self-force obtained is the well-established relativistic radiation reaction, while its divergent part implies the pre-relativistic longitudinal electromagnetic mass of Abraham.