Survey and examination of an electromagnetic vacuum accelerating effect and its astrophysical consequences

A rigorous detailed review of the concepts and calculations behind the acceleration of particles by the electromagnetic zero-point field is presented. The acceleration is enhanced in regions of great size and low particle density. Astrophysical scenarios are suggested and discussed and cosmological possibilities are briefly outlined. It is shown that the acceleration follows both from a semiclassical approach in the manner of Stochastic Electrodynamics and from quantum theory with a zero-point field that most naturally (but not necessarily) may be interpreted as time-symmetric in the manner of the Wheeler-Feynman form of Quantum Electrodynamics. It is shown that both approaches yield essentially identical results.Glossary of Abbreviations ABT Absorber theory - ALE Abraham-Lorentz equation - AM Acceleration mechanism - BME Braffort-Marshall equation - CE Cosmic expansion - CED Classical electrodynamics - CR Cosmic rays - EAS Extensive air showers - EHD Einstein-Hopf drag - EHM Einstein-Hopf model - EM Electromagnetic electromagnetism - FT Field theory - GZ Greisen-Zatsepin - GZE Greisen-Zatsepin effect - HO Harmonic oscillator - IC Inverse-Compton - ICRC International cosmic-ray conference - IGM Intergalactic medium - IGS Intergalactic space - ISS Interstellar space - LDE Lorentz-Dirac equation - LHS Left-hand side - LI Lorentz-invariant - MB Maxwell-Boltzmann - QED Quantum electrodynamics - QM Quantum mechanics - RHS Right-hand side - RJ Rayleigh-Jeans - SE Schrödinger equation - SED Stochastic electrodynamics - SM Stochastic mechanics - SNR Supernova remnant - SS Solar system - UHE Ultrahigh energies - ZBW Zitterbewegung - ZPE Zero-point energy - ZPF Zero-point field - XRB X-ray background