Relativistic electron theory references?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding alternative references for studying relativistic electron theory, specifically beyond the chapter 24 of Merzbacher's textbook. Participants express their preferences for different styles of presentation and seek recommendations for textbooks and other resources that cover topics such as the Dirac equation, relativistic invariance, and quantum field theory (QFT).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with the readability of Merzbacher's chapter on relativistic electron theory and seeks alternative resources.
  • Several participants suggest various textbooks and online resources, including links to Amazon listings and academic websites.
  • One participant mentions having looked into Sakurai and Weinberg's quantum mechanics texts, as well as a relativistic QM book by Ohlsson, noting that these do not cover the desired topics at an undergraduate level.
  • A participant shares a positive impression of Greiner's book, indicating a preference for its style over Merzbacher's.
  • Another participant highlights that the treatment of relativistic electrons in systems with more than one particle remains an active research area, referencing a specific paper on QED and Hamiltonians.
  • There are mentions of additional resources, including a book on field quantization that is noted for its wealth of examples and problem sets.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single preferred resource, with multiple competing views and recommendations presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate limitations in their current textbooks regarding the coverage of relativistic electron theory, suggesting a gap in undergraduate-level resources. The discussion also reflects varying preferences for writing styles and pedagogical approaches in textbooks.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and researchers looking for alternative references on relativistic electron theory and related topics in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory.

wotanub
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It was hard to decide where to post this. I want it to be in the right section (maybe textbook discussion or academic guidance) but I also want people that would know the answer to see it. Mods can move it if needed.

I'm looking for something to read other than Merzbacher chapter 24. I just don't like the style. It's not readable in my opinion.

The topics in the book are:
The Electron-Positron Field
The Dirac Equation
Relativistic Invariance
Solutions to the free Field Dirac Equation
CPT
One Particle Approximation
Dirac Theory in Heisenberg Picture
Dirac Theory in Schrödinger Picture
Central Forces and Hydrogen

I looked in my other QM textbooks and they don't cover this and in my QFT books it is covered in like the 3rd or 4th chapters, but I haven't read any of the books.
 
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Astronuc said:
To what textbooks is one referring?
[/QUOTE] Since you were wonderin...ou've posted? I can't find information on it.
 
WannabeNewton said:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/3540674578/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Great reference!

Meanwhile - http://student.ulb.ac.be/~kpotamia/IRPHYS3%20-%20The%20Dirac%20Equation.pdf
http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/qm/Quantumhtml/node99.html

It seems there's plenty of resources available.
wotanub said:
Since you were wondering, I've looked in Sakurai and Weinberg QM. I have a Relativistic QM book by Ohlsson, and QFT books by Schwartz and Zee and it certainly isn't in my undergrad level books.

It looks like one book is available online from my library and the other I have to order from the depository... Astronuc, do you have experience with the book you've posted? I can't find information on it.
The reference I picked was a quick example. Go with WbN's reference.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I just read a chapter of Greiner's book. I like it, much better read than Merzbacher. I might purchase a copy for my collection. Maybe I should check out his Quantum book too, he cites himself so much! Ha ha!
 
It should maybe be noted that how to properly do relativistic electrons once there is more than one is still an active research topic. Even if many physics textbooks would claim otherwise because they can treat the hydrogen atom just fine...

Some pointers to recent work on the topic on QED vs. Hamiltonians and how the latter arise and are to be interpreted are given in http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/qua.24600 (Wenjian Liu - Perspective: Relativistic Hamiltonians).
 
wotanub said:
Maybe I should check out his Quantum book too, he cites himself so much! Ha ha!

While you're at it, get his book on field quantization as well. I'm working through it at the moment and it's an absolutely brilliant resource for QFT particularly because it has a wealth of worked examples and (really loooooooong) problem sets.
 

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