The geometric content of the electron theory. I (Q1894789)

The formulation of the electron theory is reviewed. The work of V. Fock and D. Iwanenko is reminded in relation with the geometric content of the electron theory. Details of the discovery of the use of Clifford algebra to study the Maxwell field are given. The well-known geometric algebra formulation of the Dirac theory presented by D. Hestenes is commented. Remarks on the analysis of the French school (G. Casanova, R. Boudet, P. Quilichini) are included. Spinors, twistors and mapping of multivectors are discussed. It is shown that the Maxwell equations can be put into a Dirac form and that an inverse Cartan mapping can be applied to the Maxwell field. Mathematical equivalence of the Maxwell and Dirac equations is discussed.