Relativistic quantum mechanics (Q2516987)
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English | Relativistic quantum mechanics |
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Relativistic quantum mechanics (English)
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4 August 2015
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This book presents an alternative description of Relativistic Quantum Theory, constructed to address the main conceptual problems. These are essentially concerned with locality. Non relativistic quantum theory contains a completely local interpretation of probability density. One can develop a rigorous relativistic, quantum theory of a single particle which is a covariant theory ( using tensor analysis) and has the desired local properties. However the wave functions evolve in time for given spatial coordinates and this contradicts the use of the Lorentz transformation required for special relativity. In contrast the Klein-Gordon or Dirac equations, whilst consistent with the Lorentz transformation cannot provide a well defined local probabilistic distribution. These problems are overcome by regarding the coordinates, referred to an origin, as observables and introducing a another parameter \(\tau\) which essentially describes the evolution in phase space. This parameter plays the role of the universal parameter of time postulated by Newton. The book is detailed and uses the formalism developed to treat: the spin of a realistic particle, 5 dimensional gauge fields, two-body problems,coherence in time, scattering theory, the moment of the electron, the radiation curves of galaxies (essentially as an alternative to dark matter), and statistical mechanics of a \(\mathbb N\)-body problem. From this list it is apparent how wide ranging the formalism is; it is a book well with reading.
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relativistic quantum theory
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universal parameter of time
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