Quantum Electrodynamics Fourth Edition
Greiner Quantum Mechanics An Introduction 4th Edition Greiner Quantum Mechanics Special Chapters Greiner Müller Quantum Mechanics Symmetries 2nd Edition Greiner Relativistic Quantum Mechanics Wave Equations 3rd Edition Greiner Reinhardt Field Quantization Greiner Reinhardt Quantum Electrodynamics 4th Edition Greiner Schramm Stein Quantum Chromodynamics 3rd Edition Greiner Maruhn Nuclear Models Greiner Müller Gauge Theory of Weak Interactions 3rd Edition
Greiner Classical Mechanics Systems of Particles and Hamiltonian Dynamics Greiner Classical Mechanics Point Particles and Relativity Greiner Classical Electrodynamics Greiner Neise Stocker Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Walter Greiner Joachim Reinhardt
Quantum Electrodynamics With a Foreword by D.A. Bromley
Fourth Edition With 169 Figures, and 58 Worked Examples and Exercises
Prof. Dr. Walter Greiner Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Ruth-Moufang-Str. 1 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
[email protected]
Dr. Joachim Reinhardt Institut für Theoretische Physik Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Max-von-Laue-Str. 1 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
[email protected]physik.uni-frankfurt.de
Title of the original German edition: Theoretische Physik, Band 7: Quantenelektrodynamik, 2., überarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage 1994 © Verlag Harri Deutsch, Thun, 1984, 1994
ISBN: 978-3-540-87560-4
eISBN: 978-3-540-87561-1
Library of Congress Control Number: 2008937903 © 2009, 2003, 1994, 1992 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover illustration: eStudio Calamar S.L., Spain Printed on acid-free paper 987654321 springer.com
Foreword to Earlier Series Editions
More than a generation of German-speaking students around the world have worked their way to an understanding and appreciation of the power and beauty of modern theoretical physics – with mathematics, the most fundamental of sciences – using Walter Greiner’s textbooks as their guide. The idea of developing a coherent, complete presentation of an entire field of science in a series of closely related textbooks is not a new one. Many older physicists remember with real pleasure their sense of adventure and discovery as they worked their ways through the classic series by Sommerfeld, by Planck and by Landau and Lifshitz. From the students’ viewpoint, there are a great many obvious advantages to be gained through use of consistent notation, logical ordering of topics and coherence of presentation; beyond this, the complete coverage of the science provides a unique opportunity for the author to convey his personal enthusiasm and love for his subject. The present five-volum