Stability of relativistic matter with magnetic fields for nuclear charges up to the critical value (Q2472487)

The search for a proof of the stability of matter is very old and started with the work of Dyson and Lenard in 1967 by showing that Pauli's exclusion principle for fermions is essential. Subsequently, Lieb and Thirring (1975) found a more satisfying proof using sophicated mathematical techniques. Lieb's involvement with this problem now spans 33 years. Together with coworkers he looked at the stability of matter under the influence of intense magnetic and gravitational fields relevant to the behavior of massive stars and their possible collapse. The present paper uses a pseudo-relativistic description of a quantum system of \(N\) electrons and \(K\) fixed nuclei avoiding the intricate Dirac theory. The given proof of the stability of relativistic matter including magnetic fields now goes further than previous proofs by permitting values for the nuclear charge \(Z\) all the way up to \(Z\alpha=2/\pi\) which is the well-known critical value when magnetic fields are absent.