1962/06/19 by P. A. M. Dirac · 17 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Computer Science · #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #Computational Physics and Python Applications
paper · doi:10.1098/rspa.1962.0124
openalex publication_date 1962/06/19 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
Abstract It is proposed that the electron should be considered classically as a charged conducting surface, with a surface tension to prevent it from flying apart under the repulsive forces of the charge. Such an electron has a state of stable equilibrium with spherical symmetry, and if disturbed its shape and size oscillate. The equations of motion are deduced from an action principle and a Hamiltonian form alism is obtained. The energy of the first excited state with spherical symmetry is worked out according to the Bohr-Sommerfeld method of quantization, and is found to be about 53 times the rest-energy of the electron. It is suggested that this first excited state may be considered as a muon. The present theory has no electron spin, so it cannot agree accurately with experiment.