Atomic spectra evidence for relativistic potential

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relativistic corrections to potential energy in atomic spectra, specifically focusing on a term derived from the Dirac equation as presented in L. I. Schiff's book. Participants are seeking updates on experimental evidence related to this correction and its implications in atomic physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a specific Hamiltonian derived from the Dirac equation, highlighting a term that represents a relativistic correction to potential energy.
  • Another participant expresses a need for information on the experimental progress regarding the mentioned relativistic correction.
  • A third participant notes their inability to access relevant journals while on vacation, indicating a lack of immediate resources to address the query.
  • A later reply questions whether the third term in the Hamiltonian has a specific name, indicating a search for more precise terminology related to the relativistic correction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on the experimental status of the relativistic correction or its specific nomenclature.

Contextual Notes

Participants express limitations in accessing necessary literature and information, which may affect the depth of the discussion.

QMrocks
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In L. I. Schiff book, one can follow his derivation of the Hamiltonian from Dirac relativistic equation and obtain the following..
[tex] \left[\frac{\vec{p}^2}{2m}+V-\frac{\hbar^2}{4m^{2}c^{2}}\frac{dV}{dr}\frac{\partial}{\partial r}+\frac{1}{2m^{2}c^{2}}\frac{1}{r}\frac{dV}{dr}\vec{S}\cdot \vec{L}\right]\Psi_{2}=E'\Psi_{2}[/tex]
where [tex]\vec{S}=(\hbar/2)\vec{\sigma}[/tex] and [tex]\vec{L}=\vec{r}\times \vec{p}[/tex].
He mentioned in his text that the third term is a result of relativistic correction to the potential energy. He also comment that this term is more difficult to demonstrate experimentally than the spin orbit energy. Can someone update me on the experimental progress on this aspect?
 
Last edited:
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just bumping it up to see if someone can help..
 
Didn't mean to ignore your question, but since I'm on vacation, I don't have access to the online journals and searches. Google Scholar works, but one really needs full access to the articles to answer your question.

Hopefully, someone else may already have a ready answer to this.

Zz.
 
Thanks Zapper. i tried to search the internet abt that. But i retrieve bunch of results not really pertaining to what i want. Just wondering if that 3rd term in the equation has a name? i search for 'relativistic correction to potential energy' and it does not help...
 

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