Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the concept of Zitterbewegung within the framework of relativistic quantum mechanics, particularly as described in Paul Strange's textbook. Participants explore its implications for the velocity operator and spin, referencing various sources and approaches to the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant highlights the extensive description of Zitterbewegung in Paul Strange's textbook, noting its reliance on the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation and references to other works for broader conclusions.
  • Another participant questions how Zitterbewegung compares to alternative models, specifically referencing a link to a different approach in quantum mechanics.
  • A third participant describes the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation as "orthodox," suggesting it is a standard method for analyzing spinors and locating the Zitterbewegung effect.
  • A later post mentions a related discussion about the emergence of Compton length from gravity and Planck length in a different forum, indicating a potential connection to the topic at hand.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the approaches to Zitterbewegung, with some favoring the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation while others suggest alternative models. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives present.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and approaches, indicating a dependence on specific definitions and interpretations of Zitterbewegung and its implications in relativistic quantum mechanics. Some assumptions about the effectiveness of different models are not fully explored.

arivero
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This weekend I have been reading the textbook of Paul Strange, "Relativistic Quantum Mechanics". There, in chapter 7, in takes the most extensive description of Zitterbewegung I am aware of, at least in a textbook. Most of the discussion uses the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation, while it refers to Costella and McKellar 1995 for general conclusions on it. I have not read this yet, but preprints are available online as usual (hep-ph/9503416,
also hep-ph/9704210 and hep-ph/0102244)

For newcomers, let me to remark that the Z. effect can be used to justify the eigenvalues of the velocity operator in relativistic QM, and also it gives a partial justification of spin.
 
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Zitterbewegung

How does it compare and contrast wit http://modelingnts.la.asu.edu/html/Impl_QM.html ?
 
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Lets say that it is "orthodox". IE instead of alternative approaches to spinors, it uses the F-W transformation, which is standard in relativistic quantum mechanics, to separate the components of the spinor and then to locate the Zitterbewegung effect.
 
crosslink

We got a nice tale about emerging compton length from gravity plus plank length, at the LQG forum zone.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14007[/URL]
 
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