How to describe the spin state of a massless particle?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the description of the spin state of massless particles, specifically addressing the limitations of using a spin vector for such particles. For massive particles like electrons, a spin vector and covariant four vector are applicable, but for massless particles, these definitions do not hold. Instead, the spin state is resolved into left-handed (LH) and right-handed (RH) chirality, particularly in the context of neutrinos and weak parity violation. Chirality serves as the primary descriptor for the spin state of massless particles, equating chirality with helicity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of spin vectors and covariant four vectors
  • Familiarity with the concepts of chirality and helicity
  • Knowledge of weak parity violation in particle physics
  • Basic principles of Lorentz invariance
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  • Research the relationship between chirality and helicity in massless particles
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  • Study the role of neutrinos in the Standard Model of particle physics
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Particle physicists, theoretical physicists, and students studying quantum mechanics who are interested in the properties of massless particles and their spin states.

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For a massive particle, say, an electron, we can use a spin vector ##\vec{S}## to denote its spin state, and the corresponding covariant four vector ##S^\mu##. And we have ##P \cdot S = 0## in the particle rest frame, so it holds in any frame for it is an Lorentz scalor.
But, what if the particle is massless, so that it has no rest frame, how do we describe its spin state? I think ##\vec{S}## has no definition in this case.

Regards!
 
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One resolves the spin state into LH and RH chirality for massless particles. This is exactly the business with the left handed vs right handed neutrinos (assuming they were massless) and weak parity violation.

[EDIT]
Pardon me, chirality is defined for massive and massless cases, it is only that in the massless case chirality = helicity.
[END EDIT]
 
Last edited:
jambaugh said:
One resolves the spin state into LH and RH chirality for massless particles. This is exactly the business with the left handed vs right handed neutrinos (assuming they were massless) and weak parity violation.

Is that to say, we can only use chirality to describe the spin state? No spin vector be involved?
 

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