Thermalization and QED corrections for accelerated electrons

For an electron undergoing linear acceleration, low-momentum transverse fluctuations thermalize by interaction with the radiation field. Accelerated-frame arguments suggest thermalization and a fluctuation-dissipation relation but do not determine the magnitude of either the fluctuation or the dissipation. Lab frame analysis reproduces the radiation losses, described by the classical Lorentz-Abraham-Dirac equation, and reveals a classical stochastic force. We derive the fluctuation-dissipation relation between the radiation losses and stochastic force as well as equipartitation 〈p_⊥²〉=2mT from classical electrodynamics alone. The derivation uses only straightforward statistical definitions. Since high accelerations are necessary for these dynamics to become important, we compare classical results to strong-field quantum electrodynamics (QED) results. Experimental realization will require more precise observables.