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equations:dirac_equation [2018/03/26 17:16]
jakobadmin
equations:dirac_equation [2023/04/02 03:11] (current)
edi [Concrete]
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-====== Dirac Equation: ​\quad (i\gamma_\mu \partial^\mu - m ) \Psi =0 $ ======+<WRAP lag> (i\gamma_\mu \partial^\mu - m ) \Psi =0 $</​WRAP>​ 
 + 
 +====== Dirac Equation ​======
  
  
 <tabbox Intuitive> ​ <tabbox Intuitive> ​
 +The Dirac equation describes how the state of a relativistic (= fast moving) quantum system with half-integer spin changes in time.
 +
 +The analogous equation for systems without spin is the [[equations:​klein-gordon_equation|Klein-Gordon equation]].
 +
 +If the system only moves slowly, the Dirac equation becomes the [[equations:​pauli_equation|Pauli equation]]. ​
  
-<note tip> 
-Explanations in this section should contain no formulas, but instead colloquial things like you would hear them during a coffee break or at a cocktail party. 
-</​note>​ 
-  ​ 
 <tabbox Concrete> ​ <tabbox Concrete> ​
  
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   * For a nice description,​ see section 7.4.3 "​Diracology"​ in the book The Conceptual Framework of Quantum Field Theory by Duncan   * For a nice description,​ see section 7.4.3 "​Diracology"​ in the book The Conceptual Framework of Quantum Field Theory by Duncan
 +
 +----
 +
 +**Graphical Summary**
 +
 +The diagram below shows the Dirac equation and its Lagrangian in various forms. For a more detailed explanation see [[https://​esackinger.wordpress.com/​blog/​lie-groups-and-their-representations/#​dirac|Fun with Symmetry]]. ​
 +
 +{{:​equations:​dirac.jpg?​nolink}}
 +
 <tabbox Abstract> ​ <tabbox Abstract> ​
  
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   * $\partial _{\mu} $ denotes the partial derivative and $ \gamma_{\mu} \partial^{\mu}$ stands for a sum using the Einstein sum convention, i.e. $\gamma_{\mu} \partial ^{\mu} =  \gamma_0 \partial^0 - \gamma_1 \partial^1 -\gamma_2 \partial^2 -\gamma_3 \partial^3$,​   * $\partial _{\mu} $ denotes the partial derivative and $ \gamma_{\mu} \partial^{\mu}$ stands for a sum using the Einstein sum convention, i.e. $\gamma_{\mu} \partial ^{\mu} =  \gamma_0 \partial^0 - \gamma_1 \partial^1 -\gamma_2 \partial^2 -\gamma_3 \partial^3$,​
   * $m$ denotes the mass of the particle,   * $m$ denotes the mass of the particle,
-  * $\Psi$ is either the wave function of the spin $1/2$ particle if we use the Dirac equation in a particle theory, or describes the spin $1/2$ field if we work in a field theory,+  * $\Psi$ is either the wave function of the spin $1/2$ particle if we use the Dirac equation in a particle theory, or describes the spin $1/2$ field if we work in a field theory. In any case$\Psi$ is not a vector but a [[advanced_tools:​spinors|spinor]]. ​
   * $\gamma_\mu$ are the Dirac gamma matrices.   * $\gamma_\mu$ are the Dirac gamma matrices.
   ​   ​
equations/dirac_equation.1522077387.txt.gz · Last modified: 2018/03/26 15:16 (external edit)