Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Paul Strange's textbook "Relativistic Quantum Mechanics," specifically chapter 7, which provides an extensive description of Zitterbewegung using the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation. It references the work of Costella and McKellar (1995) for broader conclusions on Zitterbewegung, which is crucial for justifying the eigenvalues of the velocity operator in relativistic quantum mechanics and offers insights into spin. The conversation also contrasts this orthodox approach with alternative methods of handling spinors, emphasizing the standard F-W transformation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Zitterbewegung in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation
  • Knowledge of eigenvalues and operators in quantum mechanics
  • Basic concepts of relativistic quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Read "Relativistic Quantum Mechanics" by Paul Strange
  • Study the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation in detail
  • Explore the papers by Costella and McKellar (1995) for insights on Zitterbewegung
  • Investigate alternative approaches to spinors in quantum mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, graduate students in quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in relativistic quantum theories and the implications of Zitterbewegung.

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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