The relativistic foundations of synchrotron radiation

Special relativity (SR) determines the properties of synchrotron radiation, but the corresponding mechanisms are frequently misunderstood. Time dilation is often invoked among the causes, whereas its role would violate the principles of SR. Here it is shown that the correct explanation of the synchr...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Margaritondo, Giorgio, Rafelski, Johann
Other Authors: Univ Arizona, Dept Phys
Language:en
Published: INT UNION CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10150/625068
http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/625068
Description
Summary:Special relativity (SR) determines the properties of synchrotron radiation, but the corresponding mechanisms are frequently misunderstood. Time dilation is often invoked among the causes, whereas its role would violate the principles of SR. Here it is shown that the correct explanation of the synchrotron radiation properties is provided by a combination of the Doppler shift, not dependent on time dilation effects, contrary to a common belief, and of the Lorentz transformation into the particle reference frame of the electromagnetic field of the emission-inducing device, also with no contribution from time dilation. Concluding, the reader is reminded that much, if not all, of our argument has been available since the inception of SR, a research discipline of its own standing.