Chapter 5. Relativistic Theory of the Electron
Published Online: 22 JUN 2009
DOI: 10.1002/9783527627486.ch5
Copyright © 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA
Book Title
Relativistic Quantum Chemistry: The Fundamental Theory of Molecular Science
Additional Information
How to Cite
Reiher, M. and Wolf, A. (2009) Relativistic Theory of the Electron, in Relativistic Quantum Chemistry: The Fundamental Theory of Molecular Science, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim, Germany. doi: 10.1002/9783527627486.ch5
Publication History
- Published Online: 22 JUN 2009
- Published Print: 14 JAN 2009
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9783527312924
Online ISBN: 9783527627486
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- relativistic theory of electron;
- correspondence principle;
- Klein–Gordon equation;
- free-electron;
- Dirac equation;
- Dirac electron;
- external electromagnetic potentials;
- negative-energy states
Summary
Having introduced the principles of special relativity in classical mechanics and electrodynamics as well as the foundations of quantum theory, we now discuss their unification in the relativistic, quantum mechanical description of the motion of a free electron. One might start right away with an appropriate ansatz for the basic equation of motion with arbitrary parameters to be chosen to fulfill boundary conditions posed by special relativity, which would lead us to the Dirac equation in standard notation. However, we proceed stepwise and derive the Klein–Gordon equation first so that the subsequent steps leading to Dirac's equation for a freely moving electron can be better understood.