The Physics of Tachyons IV. Tachyon Electrodynamics

• Published in: Australian journal of physics 1998, Vol.51 (3), p.477
• Main Authors: Dawe, Ross L., Hines, Kenneth C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0004-9506
• DOI: 10.1071/P97089

A new formulation of the theory of tachyons using the same two postulates as in specialrelativity is applied to the electrodynamics of material media. A discussion of Lagrange’s equations and Hamilton’s equations for ‘classical’ charged tachyons shows that such a formalism is a viable approach. An essay is included on why tachyons can be considered to be localised particles for the purpose of calculations. Tachyonic transformations of the electromagneticfields D, P, H and M are shown to be the same as for bradyonic transformations. Examples discussed include the electric dipole moment of a tachyonic current loop, constitutive equations, polarisation in tachyonic dielectric materials and the velocity of light in tachyonic dielectric media. This is followed by discussions of the collision energy loss for charged tachyonsinteracting with a material medium and a mathematical proof that tachyons cannot emit Cherenkov radiation when passing through a bradyonic dielectric medium.