Primordial physical origin of the fine-structure constant, and some of its applications

Overview & Synopsis

The physical origin of the fine-structure constant has intrigued many physicists. To illustrate the puzzlingness of the issue let us cite the related comment of Wolfgang Pauli: When I die my first question to the Devil will be: What is the meaning of the fine structure constant? The fine-structure constant has been derived in different ways. The key question is therefore: among its diverse derivations, what is its actual primordial origin? We present a novel approach that provides its primordial physical origin, which up to now has not been reported. It comes out from the structural properties of the electron itself, specifically from its two structural frequencies: the oscillation frequency: fo = me c^2 / h and the gyratory frequency: fg = c / 2 π re , where re is the classical electron radius (re = q^2 / me c^2). So, we get: fg / fo = (c / 2 π re) / (me c^2 / h) = α-1 = 137.036. It comes out that the inverse value of the fine-structure constant α-1 is given by the ratio between these two structural frequencies of the electron. As expressed in the above formulation, the ratio between the structural gyratory fg and oscillatory fo frequencies of the electron is equal to the inverse fine-structure constant. In this context, the dimensionless of the fine-structure constant appears logical since its physical origin stands in the ratio of two frequencies. Furthermore, determining its primordial physical origin and the roots of being dimensionless, uncovers diverse insights into electromagnetism. Since it has its origin in the electron itself, it is coherent that it extends to diverse facets of electromagnetism and in the realm of subatomic particles. Here, in addition to its physical origin, some of its applications are presented too.