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"Observations on the possible electromagnetic nature of nucleon interactions and pions" -- historical manuscript from 1969 by B. W. Ninham and C. Pask

Mathias Boström, Drew F. Parsons

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether nuclear interactions and pions can emerge from electromagnetic fluctuation forces rather than conventional strong-interaction dynamics. It develops a Lifshitz-style, Casimir-like framework in which nucleons are separated by a plasma of photons and $e^+e^-$ pairs, with plasmons identified as pions, and derives pion-related quantities from this electromagnetic description. It yields a neutral pion mass of $m_\pi \approx 220 m_e$ and a neutral-pion lifetime of $\le 1.5\times10^{-17}$ s without invoking a strong coupling constant, linking distance scales and energies to Casimir-like energies at roughly $d \sim 1$ fm. The work is historically notable as an early, provocative attempt to connect QED fluctuations with hadronic phenomena and Lifshitz-type theories, pushing the boundaries of semi-classical electromagnetic approaches to nuclear physics, though it remains controversial within mainstream QCD.

Abstract

This manuscript presents an historical perspective prepared by Barry Ninham and Colin Pask in 1969 on the connection between quantum electrodynamics theory and nucleon interactions. A new theory of strong interactions based on electromagnetic considerations is proposed. Energy and force range magnitudes are correctly given. A new theory of the pion emerges and the pion mass and lifetime are calculated. No strong interaction coupling constant is required.

"Observations on the possible electromagnetic nature of nucleon interactions and pions" -- historical manuscript from 1969 by B. W. Ninham and C. Pask

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether nuclear interactions and pions can emerge from electromagnetic fluctuation forces rather than conventional strong-interaction dynamics. It develops a Lifshitz-style, Casimir-like framework in which nucleons are separated by a plasma of photons and pairs, with plasmons identified as pions, and derives pion-related quantities from this electromagnetic description. It yields a neutral pion mass of and a neutral-pion lifetime of s without invoking a strong coupling constant, linking distance scales and energies to Casimir-like energies at roughly fm. The work is historically notable as an early, provocative attempt to connect QED fluctuations with hadronic phenomena and Lifshitz-type theories, pushing the boundaries of semi-classical electromagnetic approaches to nuclear physics, though it remains controversial within mainstream QCD.

Abstract

This manuscript presents an historical perspective prepared by Barry Ninham and Colin Pask in 1969 on the connection between quantum electrodynamics theory and nucleon interactions. A new theory of strong interactions based on electromagnetic considerations is proposed. Energy and force range magnitudes are correctly given. A new theory of the pion emerges and the pion mass and lifetime are calculated. No strong interaction coupling constant is required.
Paper Structure (6 sections, 9 equations, 1 figure)

This paper contains 6 sections, 9 equations, 1 figure.

Table of Contents

  1. Historical preface by Boström and Parsons
  2. Foreword from interview with Barry Ninham
  3. Introduction
  4. Electromagnetic theory and nucleon interactions
  5. Electromagnetic theory and pions
  6. Conclusions

Figures (1)

  • Figure 1: Graphical Abstract: Barry Ninham, founder of the Department of Applied Mathematical physics at the Australian National University in 1970.