Dirac's Postulations: A Scalar Function or Four-Dimensional Vector?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Dirac's postulation regarding non-commutative operators and the nature of a scalar function with four elements, questioning whether it could be considered a four-dimensional vector instead. Participants explore the implications of Dirac's equation and Schrödinger's equation in the context of Hilbert spaces and wave functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the function in Dirac's postulation is considered a scalar function and proposes that it could be a four-dimensional vector.
  • Another participant requests clarification on which scalar function is being referenced, indicating a lack of understanding of the initial question.
  • A participant asserts that both Dirac's and Schrödinger's equations involve wave functions that belong to Hilbert spaces, questioning whether these wave functions are vectors or scalars.
  • It is noted that a Hilbert space is a complete vector space with a scalar product over complex numbers, and that Schrödinger's wave function is a vector from a specific Hilbert space.
  • Another participant describes Dirac's field as a 4-spinor, indicating that it is an element of a vector space related to the representation of the restricted Lorentz group.
  • The complexity of quantizing Dirac's field and the transition from classical spinors to operators is mentioned, but not elaborated upon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of wave functions in quantum mechanics, with some asserting they are vectors while others question this classification. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the characterization of Dirac's postulation as a scalar function versus a four-dimensional vector.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of scalar and vector spaces in the context of quantum mechanics, as well as the implications of non-commutative operators in Dirac's formulation.

Raparicio
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Hello Friends,

About Dirac's postulation about non conmutative operators and the scalar function with 4 elements, some questions:

why this function is a scalar function? Couldn't it be a four-dimensional vector? Why?

Best Reggards.
 
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Which scalar function with 4 elements are you talking about?Please make a specific reference.I have no idea what you're referring to.

Daniel.
 
HIlbert

Hello Dextercioby and forum,

How are u? I'm agreed to re-read u!

The question is this:

In Dirac's [tex]i \frac{\partial \Psi} {\partial t} =[\alfa (p-eA) + \beta m + e \O ] \Psi[/tex] or Schrödinger's [tex]i\frac{\partial\Psi}{\partial t} = \frac{\hbar^{2}}{2m}\frac{\partial^{2}\Psi}{\partial x^{2}} + V\Psi[/tex], the wave function is a Hilbert Space wave, I think. Are they vectors or scalars?
The Hilbert Space is a vectorial, or scalar space?¿?

My best reggards.
 
1.A Hilbert space is a complete VECTOR SPACE with scalar product over the field of complex numbers...

2.Schroedinger's wave-function
[tex]\Psi (\vec{r},t)[/tex]
is a vector from the Hilbert space [tex]\mathbb{L}^{2}(\mathbb{R}^{3})\otimes \mathbb{R}[/tex].

3.Dirac's field
[tex]\Psi^{\alpha} (x^{\mu})[/tex]
is essentially a 4-spinor (Dirac spinor,if u prefer) and is an element of the vector space of the representation [itex](\frac{1}{2},0) \oplus (0,\frac{1}{2})[/itex] of the restricted Lorentz group.The algebric structure determined by these spinors is actually a Grassmann algebra with involution over the vector space mentioned earlier...

Once you quantize Dirac's field,the classical spinors become operators and that's another (quite complicated ) story...

Daniel.
 
Last edited:
thanks

Thanks you another time! :wink:
 

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