Stochastic Methods in Atomic Systems and QED
Abstract
We show that treating the blackbody radiation field as a heat bath enables one to utilize powerful techniques from the realm of stochastic physics (such as the fluctuation-dissipation theorem and the related radiation damping) in order to treat problems that could not be treated rigorously by conventional methods. We illustrate our remarks by discussing specifically the effect of temperature on atomic spectral lines, and the solution to the problem of runaway solutions in the equation of motion of a radiating electron. We also present brief discussions relating to anomalous diffusion and wave packet spreading in a radiation field and the influence of quantum effects on the laws of thermodynamics.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1009.4417,
title = {Stochastic Methods in Atomic Systems and QED},
author = {R. F. O'Connell},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1009.4417},
year = {2010}
}
Comments
Contribution to the Festschrift in honor of Professor Walter R. Johnson on the occasion of his retirement after 50 years at the University of Notre Dame