Displacement Current in Classical and Quantum Systems

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of displacement current across classical and quantum systems, emphasizing its fundamental role in electromagnetic theory and various applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive development of displacement current and highlights its significance in both classical and quantum mechanics, with illustrative applications.

Findings

Displacement current is crucial in classical and quantum electromagnetic systems.

The development of displacement current enhances understanding of system dynamics.

Applications demonstrate the fundamental role of displacement current in various systems.

Abstract

It is certain that electrical properties-whether slow (sec) or fast (nsec), even optical (fsec)-are described by Maxwell's equations, and there are terms that depend on the rate of change of the electric and magnetic fields. In particular, Maxwell's equation for the curl of the magnetic field contains both the steady current and a term depending upon the temporal derivative of the electric displacement field. The latter is referred to as displacement current, and is generally believed to have been included originally by Maxwell himself, although there is evidence it was earlier considered by Kirchhoff. Maxwell's equations and Kirchoff's circuit laws both are important over the wide range of frequencies with which electronics traditionally deals. And, displacement current is an important contribution to these in both classical and quantum mechanics. Here, the development of displacement current, its importance in both classical and quantum mechanics, and some applications are provided to illustrate the fundamental role that it plays in the dynamics of a wide range of systems.