Classical limit of relativistic positive-energy theories with intrinsic spin

Journal Article · Fri Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Phys. Rev., D, v. 12, no. 4, pp. 1026-1037

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.12.1026· OSTI ID:4183678

Staunton, L P; Browne, S

The classical (nonquantum) relativistic differential equations obtained from positive-energy relativistic wave equations in the correspondence limit are analyzed. The essential role of the Majorana representation of SO(3,2) in the known examples is expounded, and a translation of this role into constraints on the classical-limit motion is developed. It is found that the quantum interpretation of these theories in terms of composite models of elementary particles has a natural analog on the classical level. The structural constituents are found to be massless and to undergo a classical Zitterbewegung consisting of a planar corotation whose amplitude and frequency depend on the spin of the quantum state from which the limit was taken. This motion is exactly that which would be described, at the classical level, as the rigid rotation of a massless ''string'' whose ends achieve the velocity of light. The model serves to define a relativistic, nonquantum intrinsic spin.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa 50311
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-004596
• OSTI ID: 4183678
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev., D, v. 12, no. 4, pp. 1026-1037, Journal Name: Phys. Rev., D, v. 12, no. 4, pp. 1026-1037; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*RELATIVITY THEORY-- STRING MODELS
*STRING MODELS-- MAJORANA THEORY
644003*
COMPOSITE MODELS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIRAC EQUATION
LORENTZ INVARIANCE
N76100 --Physics (Theoretical)--General
N76300* --Physics (Theoretical)--Gravitation & General Relativity
SO GROUPS
SPIN
ZITTERBEWEGUNG