Relativistic wave equations and hydrogenic atoms (Q5947385)

This interesting paper is devoted to the transition probability problems connected with the relativistic wave equations and hydrogenic atoms. The transition probabilities for the components of both Balmer and Lyman \(\alpha\)-lines of hydrogenic atoms are calculated for the nonrelativistic Schrödinger theory, Dirac theory, and the recently developed eight-component (8-C) formalism. For large \(Z\) it is found that all three theories give significantly different results. The transition probabilities for the allowed components of the Balmer and Lyman \(\alpha\)-lines for various hydrogenic atoms (\(Z=1,18,30,54,74,92\)) are given. Other tables show the corresponding transition probabilities for the forbidden components, i.e., those components which are not allowed in the usual dipole approximation. As for the Dirac theory, the predictions of the 8-C theory for low \(Z\) are approximately the same as the Schrödinger predictions. However, for larger values of \(Z\), it is seen that the results differ significantly from both Schrödinger and Dirac results. These results show for the first time that the Dirac and 8-C theories are not identical in all their predictions. The calculation differences between the two relativistic formalisms imply that in special circumstances it may be possible to determine by observation which theory is valid. However, at the present time, it is impossible to measure directly the transition probabilities for the components of the Balmer and Lyman \(\alpha\)-lines for high \(Z\) hydrogenic atoms since the lifetimes of the excited states are too short so that the allowed transitions are prompt. On the other hand, the forbidden transitions are masked by allowed transitions, except for \(3D_{5/2}\) to \(2P_{1/2}\) or \(2S_{1/2}\) transitions. These forbidden transitions may eventually be measurable for intermediate \(Z\) values (\(Z\simeq 50\)) where the transition probabilities are \(\simeq 6\times 10^{12}s^{-1}\). However for \(Z=50\), the differences between the Dirac and 8-C theories are only \(\simeq 5\;2S_{1/2}\).