Second Order Corrections to QED Coupling at Low Temperature

Abstract

We calculate the second order corrections to vacuum polarization tensor of photons at low temperatures, i.e; T $\le 10^{10}$ K ($T<<m_e$). The thermal contributions to the QED coupling constant are evaluated at temperatures below the electron mass that is $T<m_e$ . Renormalization of QED at these temperatures has explicitly been checked. The electromagnetic properties of such a thermal medium are modified. Parameters like electric permittivity and magnetic permeability of such a medium are no more constant and become functions of temperature.

8 latex pages and 1 figure (to appear in IJMP)