How light spreads

Abstract

We study generation and spreading of light at the most fundamental level within the classical theory. We model the light emitter as a sinusoidally oscillating point-charge. We use "PyCharge" for computing the electric and magnetic fields associated with such an emitter. Fields are plotted for two physically distinct processes, both regarded as occuring in a single frame F1: Process 1 has a fixed emitter, and Process 2 has a moving emitter. The wave-fronts of the emitted light are found to be circular in shape for both the processes; it's not elliptical for Process 2. We then construct a second frame, F2, that moves with the same velocity as the uniform motion of the emitter in Process 2. We calculate the fields of Process 2, but using the calculational procedure of P1 in frame F2. Thus, we use the Lorentz transformations and the procedure for a fixed emitter in order to calculate the fields due to a moving emitter. The fields thus computed show results that are numerically identical to those for Process 2 in F1, albeit at a non-negligible computational cost. Interspersed also are some novel observations and remarks concerning Maxwell's vs. Lorentz' aether, the Lorentz transformations, and the Special Theory of Relativity. All in all, this paper aims to provide that basic layer of results on the top of which our work towards extending the conceptual and mathematical schema used in the relativity principles, will be offered in future.