Gauge invariance, time-dependent Foldy-Wouthuysen transformations, and the Pauli Hamiltonian

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Phys. Rev., D; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.15.1063· OSTI ID:7309156

Goldman, T

The Foldy-Wouthuysen derivation of the generalized Pauli Hamiltonian is reexamined, and described as an operator gauge transformation. The unitary inequivalence of the Pauli and Dirac Hamiltonians is shown to occur, because in general it is only the entire coupled field Hamiltonian which is gauge invariant, not the particle Hamiltonian alone.

• Research Organization: Theoretical Division, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, University of California, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 7309156
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev., D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., D; (United States) Vol. 15:4; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645201* -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Theoretical-- General & Scattering Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
CANONICAL TRANSFORMATIONS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIRAC EQUATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
EXPECTATION VALUE
FOLDY-WOUTHUYSEN TRANSFORM
GAUGE INVARIANCE
HAMILTONIANS
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
MATHEMATICAL OPERATORS
MATRIX ELEMENTS
QUANTUM OPERATORS
TIME DEPENDENCE
UNITARITY
WAVE EQUATIONS