On the interaction between two point electric charges

The general formula for the interaction potential between two point electric charges that contains the lowest order corrections to the vacuum polarization is derived and investigated. Analytical derivation of this formula is based on the closed analytical expression for the Uehling potential obtained earlier. Our analytical formula has the correct asymtotic behaviour at small and large distances between two interacting electric charges. We also discuss a number of problems that are of great interest in applications, such as, vacuum polarization corrections to the Coulomb scattering and cusp value between two electrically charged particles. An original algebraic procedure developed in this study allows one to determine consecutive corrections for vacuum polarization for Coulomb systems. (author)