Electron interaction with the angular momentum of the electromagnetic field

R. F. O'Connell

Published 2016-03-24Version 1

We give a simple derivation and explanation of a recently proposed new relativistic interaction between the electron and the angular momentum of the electromagnetic field in quantum electrodynamics . Our derivation is based on the work of Moller, who pointed out that, in special relativity, a particle with spin must always have a finite extension. We generalize Mollers classical result to the quantum regime and show that it leads to a new contribution to the energy, which is the special relativistic interaction term.