Static field from ensemble of photons

In summary, the conversation discusses the decomposition of electromagnetic fields into quantized oscillators and classical normal modes, and the presence of oscillating phases in both cases. The speaker is seeking a reference that demonstrates how a static electric or magnetic field can be written as a superposition of time-varying operators or normal modes. They also mention the use of Feynman diagrams to derive the Coulomb-like field of a heavy charged particle. The book "The Quantum Theory of Fields" by Weinberg is recommended for a thorough treatment of this topic.
  • #1
patdriess
1
0
Hi,

In QED it is stated that an EM field can be written as a sum of quantized oscillators (the photons).
In "classical" Electrodynamics, it can also be shown that the EM field decomposes into normal modes.

But both the quantized oscillators (in the Heisenberg picture) and the classical normal modes have a phase that oscillates with time. This goes also, as far as I know, for the longitudinal photons.

Do you know of a paper (or a book) that shows or a static electric field (generated by a static charged source)
or a stationary magnetic field (generated by a stationary current) can be
written in terms of a superposition of time-varying operators or normal modes.
 
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  • #2
A heavy charged particle, probed by light charged particles can be approximately described by its Coulomb-like field. To derive this, you need a summation over infinitely many Feynman diagrams, which however all correspond to the same (leading) order in the electromagnetic coupling constant (soft-photon resummation). For an excellent treatment, see

Weinberg, The Quantum Theory of Fields, Vol. 1
 

1. How do photons create a static field?

Photons are elementary particles that carry electromagnetic energy. When a large number of photons are present in a particular space, their collective electric and magnetic fields can create a static field. This is similar to how a large number of electric charges can create a static electric field.

2. Can a static field from photons be manipulated or controlled?

Yes, a static field from photons can be manipulated or controlled by changing the number or distribution of photons within the ensemble. This can be achieved by using devices such as mirrors, lenses, and filters to alter the path and properties of the photons.

3. Is the magnitude of a static field from photons dependent on the energy of the photons?

Yes, the magnitude of a static field from photons is directly proportional to the energy of the photons. This means that higher energy photons will create a stronger static field compared to lower energy photons.

4. What factors can affect the strength of a static field from an ensemble of photons?

The strength of a static field from an ensemble of photons can be affected by the number of photons present, the energy of the photons, and the distance between the photons. Additionally, the presence of other electrically charged particles or objects in the vicinity can also impact the strength of the field.

5. How is a static field from an ensemble of photons different from a static field created by stationary charges?

A static field from an ensemble of photons is different from a static field created by stationary charges in several ways. First, photons are constantly in motion and do not have a fixed position, whereas stationary charges remain in one place. Additionally, the strength and direction of a static field from photons can be altered by manipulating the properties of the photons, while a static field from stationary charges is determined solely by their position and magnitude of charge.

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