PHY2403F Lecture Notes
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1 Introduction 2 Klein Gordon Equation
Thimo Preis 1 1 Introduction Non-relativistic quantum mechanics refers to the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics applied in the context of Galilean relativity, more specifically quantizing the equations from the Hamiltonian formalism of non-relativistic Classical Mechanics by replacing dynamical variables by operators through the correspondence principle. Therefore, the physical properties predicted by the Schrödinger theory are invariant in a Galilean change of referential, but they do not have the invariance under a Lorentz change of referential required by the principle of relativity. In particular, all phenomena concerning the interaction between light and matter, such as emission, absorption or scattering of photons, is outside the framework of non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics. One of the main difficulties in elaborating relativistic Quantum Mechanics comes from the fact that the law of conservation of the number of particles ceases in general to be true. Due to the equivalence of mass and energy there can be creation or absorption of particles whenever the interactions give rise to energy transfers equal or superior to the rest massses of these particles. This theory, which i am about to present to you, is not exempt of difficulties, but it accounts for a very large body of experimental facts. We will base our deductions upon the six axioms of the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics.Therefore, with the principles of quantum mechanics and of relativistic invariance at our disposal we will try to construct a Lorentz covariant wave equation. For this we need special relativity. 1.1 Special Relativity Special relativity states that the laws of nature are independent of the observer´s frame if it belongs to the class of frames obtained from each other by transformations of the Poincaré group. -
The Dirac Equation
The Dirac Equation Asaf Pe’er1 February 11, 2014 This part of the course is based on Refs. [1], [2] and [3]. 1. Introduction So far we have only discussed scalar fields, such that under a Lorentz transformation ′ ′ xµ xµ = λµ xν the field transforms as → ν φ(x) φ′(x)= φ(Λ−1x). (1) → We have seen that quantization of such fields gives rise to spin 0 particles. However, in the framework of the standard model there is only one spin-0 particle known in nature: the Higgs particle. Most particles in nature have an intrinsic angular momentum, or spin. To describe particles with spin, we are going to look at fields which themselves transform non-trivially under the Lorentz group. In this chapter we will describe the Dirac equation, whose quantization gives rise to Fermionic spin 1/2 particles. To motivate the Dirac equation, we will start by studying the appropriate representation of the Lorentz group. 2. The Lorentz group, its representations and generators The first thing to realize is that the set of all possible Lorentz transformations form what is known in mathematics as group. By definition, a group G is defined as a set of objects, or operators (known as the elements of G) that may be combined, or multiplied, to form a well-defined product in G which satisfy the following conditions: 1. Closure: If a and b are two elements of G, then the product ab is also an element of G. 1Physics Dep., University College Cork –2– 2. The multiplication is associative: (ab)c = a(bc). -
Generalized Lorentz Symmetry and Nonlinear Spinor Fields in a Flat Finslerian Space-Time
Proceedings of Institute of Mathematics of NAS of Ukraine 2004, Vol. 50, Part 2, 637–644 Generalized Lorentz Symmetry and Nonlinear Spinor Fields in a Flat Finslerian Space-Time George BOGOSLOVSKY † and Hubert GOENNER ‡ † Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia E-mail: [email protected] ‡ Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of G¨ottingen, G¨ottingen, Germany E-mail: [email protected] The work is devoted to the generalization of the Dirac equation for a flat locally anisotropic, i.e. Finslerian space-time. At first we reproduce the corresponding metric and a group of the generalized Lorentz transformations, which has the meaning of the relativistic symmetry group of such event space. Next, proceeding from the requirement of the generalized Lorentz invariance we find a generalized Dirac equation in its explicit form. An exact solution of the nonlinear generalized Dirac equation is also presented. 1 Introduction In spite of the impressive successes of the unified gauge theory of strong, weak and electromag- netic interactions, known as the Standard Model, one cannot a priori rule out the possibility that Lorentz symmetry underlying the theory is an approximate symmetry of nature. This implies that at the energies already attainable today empirical evidence may be obtained in favor of violation of Lorentz symmetry. At the same time it is obvious that such effects might manifest themselves only as strongly suppressed effects of Planck-scale physics. Theoretical speculations about a possible violation of Lorentz symmetry continue for more than forty years and they are briefly outlined in [1]. -
Baryon Parity Doublets and Chiral Spin Symmetry
PHYSICAL REVIEW D 98, 014030 (2018) Baryon parity doublets and chiral spin symmetry M. Catillo and L. Ya. Glozman Institute of Physics, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria (Received 24 April 2018; published 25 July 2018) The chirally symmetric baryon parity-doublet model can be used as an effective description of the baryon-like objects in the chirally symmetric phase of QCD. Recently it has been found that above the critical temperature, higher chiral spin symmetries emerge in QCD. It is demonstrated here that the baryon parity-doublet Lagrangian is manifestly chiral spin invariant. We construct nucleon interpolators with fixed chiral spin transformation properties that can be used in lattice studies at high T. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.98.014030 I. BARYON PARITY DOUBLETS. fermions of opposite parity, parity doublets, that transform INTRODUCTION into each other upon a chiral transformation [1]. Consider a pair of the isodoublet fermion fields A Dirac Lagrangian of a massless fermion field is chirally symmetric since the left- and right-handed com- Ψ ponents of the fermion field are decoupled, Ψ ¼ þ ; ð4Þ Ψ− μ μ μ L iψγ¯ μ∂ ψ iψ¯ Lγμ∂ ψ L iψ¯ Rγμ∂ ψ R; 1 ¼ ¼ þ ð Þ Ψ Ψ where the Dirac bispinors þ and − have positive and negative parity, respectively. The parity doublet above is a where spinor constructed from two Dirac bispinors and contains eight components. Note that there is, in addition, an isospin 1 1 ψ R ¼ ð1 þ γ5Þψ; ψ L ¼ ð1 − γ5Þψ: ð2Þ index which is suppressed. Given that the right- and left- 2 2 handed fields are directly connected -
On the “Equivalence” of the Maxwell and Dirac Equations
On the “equivalence” of the Maxwell and Dirac equations Andre´ Gsponer1 Document ISRI-01-07 published in Int. J. Theor. Phys. 41 (2002) 689–694 It is shown that Maxwell’s equation cannot be put into a spinor form that is equivalent to Dirac’s equation. First of all, the spinor ψ in the representation F~ = ψψ~uψ of the electromagnetic field bivector depends on only three independent complex components whereas the Dirac spinor depends on four. Second, Dirac’s equation implies a complex structure specific to spin 1/2 particles that has no counterpart in Maxwell’s equation. This complex structure makes fermions essentially different from bosons and therefore insures that there is no physically meaningful way to transform Maxwell’s and Dirac’s equations into each other. Key words: Maxwell equation; Dirac equation; Lanczos equation; fermion; boson. 1. INTRODUCTION The conventional view is that spin 1 and spin 1/2 particles belong to distinct irreducible representations of the Poincaré group, so that there should be no connection between the Maxwell and Dirac equations describing the dynamics of arXiv:math-ph/0201053v2 4 Apr 2002 these particles. However, it is well known that Maxwell’s and Dirac’s equations can be written in a number of different forms, and that in some of them these equations look very similar (e.g., Fushchich and Nikitin, 1987; Good, 1957; Kobe 1999; Moses, 1959; Rodrigues and Capelas de Oliviera, 1990; Sachs and Schwebel, 1962). This has lead to speculations on the possibility that these similarities could stem from a relationship that would be not merely formal but more profound (Campolattaro, 1990, 1997), or that in some sense Maxwell’s and Dirac’s equations could even be “equivalent” (Rodrigues and Vaz, 1998; Vaz and Rodrigues, 1993, 1997). -
2 Lecture 1: Spinors, Their Properties and Spinor Prodcuts
2 Lecture 1: spinors, their properties and spinor prodcuts Consider a theory of a single massless Dirac fermion . The Lagrangian is = ¯ i@ˆ . (2.1) L ⇣ ⌘ The Dirac equation is i@ˆ =0, (2.2) which, in momentum space becomes pUˆ (p)=0, pVˆ (p)=0, (2.3) depending on whether we take positive-energy(particle) or negative-energy (anti-particle) solutions of the Dirac equation. Therefore, in the massless case no di↵erence appears in equations for paprticles and anti-particles. Finding one solution is therefore sufficient. The algebra is simplified if we take γ matrices in Weyl repreentation where µ µ 0 σ γ = µ . (2.4) " σ¯ 0 # and σµ =(1,~σ) andσ ¯µ =(1, ~ ). The Pauli matrices are − 01 0 i 10 σ = ,σ= − ,σ= . (2.5) 1 10 2 i 0 3 0 1 " # " # " − # The matrix γ5 is taken to be 10 γ5 = − . (2.6) " 01# We can use the matrix γ5 to construct projection operators on to upper and lower parts of the four-component spinors U and V . The projection operators are 1 γ 1+γ Pˆ = − 5 , Pˆ = 5 . (2.7) L 2 R 2 Let us write u (p) U(p)= L , (2.8) uR(p) ! where uL(p) and uR(p) are two-component spinors. Since µ 0 pµσ pˆ = µ , (2.9) " pµσ¯ 0(p) # andpU ˆ (p) = 0, the two-component spinors satisfy the following (Weyl) equations µ µ pµσ uR(p)=0,pµσ¯ uL(p)=0. (2.10) –3– Suppose that we have a left handed spinor uL(p) that satisfies the Weyl equation. -
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics 1
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics 1 The aim of this chapter is to introduce a relativistic formalism which can be used to describe particles and their interactions. The emphasis 1.1 SpecialRelativity 1 is given to those elements of the formalism which can be carried on 1.2 One-particle states 7 to Relativistic Quantum Fields (RQF), which underpins the theoretical 1.3 The Klein–Gordon equation 9 framework of high energy particle physics. We begin with a brief summary of special relativity, concentrating on 1.4 The Diracequation 14 4-vectors and spinors. One-particle states and their Lorentz transforma- 1.5 Gaugesymmetry 30 tions follow, leading to the Klein–Gordon and the Dirac equations for Chaptersummary 36 probability amplitudes; i.e. Relativistic Quantum Mechanics (RQM). Readers who want to get to RQM quickly, without studying its foun- dation in special relativity can skip the first sections and start reading from the section 1.3. Intrinsic problems of RQM are discussed and a region of applicability of RQM is defined. Free particle wave functions are constructed and particle interactions are described using their probability currents. A gauge symmetry is introduced to derive a particle interaction with a classical gauge field. 1.1 Special Relativity Einstein’s special relativity is a necessary and fundamental part of any Albert Einstein 1879 - 1955 formalism of particle physics. We begin with its brief summary. For a full account, refer to specialized books, for example (1) or (2). The- ory oriented students with good mathematical background might want to consult books on groups and their representations, for example (3), followed by introductory books on RQM/RQF, for example (4). -
7 Quantized Free Dirac Fields
7 Quantized Free Dirac Fields 7.1 The Dirac Equation and Quantum Field Theory The Dirac equation is a relativistic wave equation which describes the quantum dynamics of spinors. We will see in this section that a consistent description of this theory cannot be done outside the framework of (local) relativistic Quantum Field Theory. The Dirac Equation (i∂/ m)ψ =0 ψ¯(i∂/ + m) = 0 (1) − can be regarded as the equations of motion of a complex field ψ. Much as in the case of the scalar field, and also in close analogy to the theory of non-relativistic many particle systems discussed in the last chapter, the Dirac field is an operator which acts on a Fock space. We have already discussed that the Dirac equation also follows from a least-action-principle. Indeed the Lagrangian i µ = [ψ¯∂ψ/ (∂µψ¯)γ ψ] mψψ¯ ψ¯(i∂/ m)ψ (2) L 2 − − ≡ − has the Dirac equation for its equation of motion. Also, the momentum Πα(x) canonically conjugate to ψα(x) is ψ δ † Πα(x)= L = iψα (3) δ∂0ψα(x) Thus, they obey the equal-time Poisson Brackets ψ 3 ψα(~x), Π (~y) P B = iδαβδ (~x ~y) (4) { β } − Thus † 3 ψα(~x), ψ (~y) P B = δαβδ (~x ~y) (5) { β } − † In other words the field ψα and its adjoint ψα are a canonical pair. This result follows from the fact that the Dirac Lagrangian is first order in time derivatives. Notice that the field theory of non-relativistic many-particle systems (for both fermions on bosons) also has a Lagrangian which is first order in time derivatives. -
On the Connection Between the Solutions to the Dirac and Weyl
On the connection between the solutions to the Dirac and Weyl equations and the corresponding electromagnetic 4-potentials Aristides I. Kechriniotis ∗ Christos A. Tsonos † Konstantinos K. Delibasis ‡ Georgios N. Tsigaridas§ September 14, 2019 Abstract In this paper we study in detail the connection between the solutions to the Dirac and Weyl equation and the associated electromagnetic 4- potentials. First, it is proven that all solutions to the Weyl equations are degenerate, in the sense that they correspond to an infinite number of electromagnetic 4-potentials. As far as the solutions to the Dirac equa- tion are concerned, it is shown that they can be classified into two classes. The elements of the first class correspond to one and only one 4-potential, and are called non-degenerate Dirac solutions. On the other hand, the ele- ments of the second class correspond to an infinite number of 4-potentials, and are called degenerate Dirac solutions. Further, it is proven that at least two of these 4-potentials are gauge-inequivalent, corresponding to different electromagnetic fields. In order to illustrate this particularly im- portant result we have studied the degenerate solutions to the force-free Dirac equation and shown that they correspond to massless particles. We have also provided explicit examples regarding solutions to the force-free Weyl equation and the Weyl equation for a constant magnetic field. In all cases we have calculated the infinite number of different electromagnetic fields corresponding to these solutions. arXiv:1208.2546v10 [math-ph] 15 Sep 2019 PACS: 03.65.Pm, 03.50.De, 41.20.-q ∗General Department, University of Thessaly, GR-35100 Lamia, Greece. -
Wave Equations Greiner Greiner Quantum Mechanics Mechanics I an Introduction 3Rd Edition (In Preparation)
W Greiner RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM MECHANICS Wave Equations Greiner Greiner Quantum Mechanics Mechanics I An Introduction 3rd Edition (in preparation) Greiner Greiner Quantum Theory Mechanics II Special Chapters (in preparation) (in preparation) Greiner Greiner· Muller Electrodynamics Quantum Mechanics (in preparation) Symmetries 2nd Edition Greiner· Neise . StOcker Greiner Thermodynamics Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics Wave Equations Greiner· Reinhardt Field Quantization (in preparation) Greiner . Reinhardt Quantum Electrodynamics 2nd Edition Greiner· Schafer Quantum Chromodynamics Greiner· Maruhn Nuclear Models (in preparation) Greiner· MUller Gauge Theory of Weak Interactions Walter Greiner RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM MECHANICS Wave Equations With a Foreword by D. A. Bromley With 62 Figures, and 89 Worked Examples and Exercises Springer Professor Dr. Walter Greiner Institut fiir Theoretische Physik der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt Postfach 111932 D-60054 Frankfurt am Main Germany Street address: Robert-Mayer-Strasse 8-\ 0 D-60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany ISBN 978-3-540-99535-7 ISBN 978-3-642-88082-7 (eBook) DOl 10.1007/978-3-642-88082-7 Title of the original German edition: Theoretische Physik, Band 6: Relativistische Quantenmechanik, 2., iiberarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage 1987 © Verlag Harri Deutsch, Thun 1981 1st Edition 1990 3rd printing 1995 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer Verlag. -
On Relativistic Quantum Mechanics of the Majorana Particle
On Relativistic Quantum Mechanics of the Majorana Particle H. Arod´z Institute of Theoretical Physics, Jagiellonian University∗ Institute of Nuclear Physics Cracow, May 14th, 2020 PLAN 1. Introduction 2. New observable: the axial momentum 3. The general solution of the Dirac equation 4. The relativistic invariance 5. Summary 1. Introduction 1a. The original motivation: how to construct a quantum theory of non-Grassmannian Majorana field? In particular, what is the Lagrangian for this field? The relativistic quantum mechanics of the single Majorana particle is a step in that direction. It has turned out that it is rather interesting on its own right, because of significant differences with the standard examples of relativistic quantum mechanics. 1b. The Dirac particle: 0 1 1 2 B C α µ (x) = B 3 C ; (x) 2 C; iγ @µ (x) − m (x) = 0: @ A 4 R 3 y Scalar product: h 1j 2i = d x 1(x; t) 2(x; t) with arbitrary t. The Schroedinger form of the Dirac eq.: ^ ^ 0 k 0 y i@t = H ; H = −iγ γ @k + mγ = H : 1. Introduction General complex solution of the Dirac equation: 1 Z (x; t) = d 3p eipx e−iEpt v (+)(p) + eiEpt v (−)(p) ; (1) (2π)3=2 where p denotes eigenvalues of the momentum operator p^ = −ir, and 0 l l 0 (±) (±) p 2 2 (γ γ p + mγ )v (p) = ±Epv (p); Ep = + m + p : (1) is important as the starting point for QFT of the Dirac field. Two views on (1): expansion in the basis of common eigenvectors of commuting observables p^ = −ir and H^ (physics); or merely the Fourier transformation (mathematics). -
Quantum Field Theory a Tourist Guide for Mathematicians
Mathematical Surveys and Monographs Volume 149 Quantum Field Theory A Tourist Guide for Mathematicians Gerald B. Folland American Mathematical Society http://dx.doi.org/10.1090/surv/149 Mathematical Surveys and Monographs Volume 149 Quantum Field Theory A Tourist Guide for Mathematicians Gerald B. Folland American Mathematical Society Providence, Rhode Island EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Jerry L. Bona Michael G. Eastwood Ralph L. Cohen Benjamin Sudakov J. T. Stafford, Chair 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 81-01; Secondary 81T13, 81T15, 81U20, 81V10. For additional information and updates on this book, visit www.ams.org/bookpages/surv-149 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Folland, G. B. Quantum field theory : a tourist guide for mathematicians / Gerald B. Folland. p. cm. — (Mathematical surveys and monographs ; v. 149) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8218-4705-3 (alk. paper) 1. Quantum electrodynamics–Mathematics. 2. Quantum field theory–Mathematics. I. Title. QC680.F65 2008 530.1430151—dc22 2008021019 Copying and reprinting. Individual readers of this publication, and nonprofit libraries acting for them, are permitted to make fair use of the material, such as to copy a chapter for use in teaching or research. Permission is granted to quote brief passages from this publication in reviews, provided the customary acknowledgment of the source is given. Republication, systematic copying, or multiple reproduction of any material in this publication is permitted only under license from the American Mathematical Society. Requests for such permission should be addressed to the Acquisitions Department, American Mathematical Society, 201 Charles Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02904-2294 USA. Requests can also be made by e-mail to [email protected].