Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2303.14797 · Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical

Helical beams of electrons in a magnetic field: new analytic solutions of the Schrödinger and Dirac equations

Iwo Białynicki‐Birula, Zofia Białynicka-Birula

Published Jun 8, 2023• 4 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract We derive new solutions of the Schrödinger, Klein–Gordon and Dirac equations which describe the motion of particles in a uniform magnetic field. In contrast to the well known stationary solutions, our solutions exhibit the behavior of quantum particles which very closely resembles classical helical trajectories. These solutions also serve as an illustration of the meaning of the Ehrenfest theorem in relativistic quantum mechanics.

DOI
10.1088/1751-8121/acdcd1

Related papers

Quantum motion in superposition of Aharonov–Bohm with some additional electromagnetic fields

V. G. Bagrov, D. M. Gitman, A. D. Levin

The structure of additional electromagnetic fields to the Aharonov–Bohm field, for which the Schrödinger, Klein-Gordon, and Dirac equations can be solved exactly are described and the corresponding exact solutions are found. It is demonstrated that aside from the known cases (a constant and uniform magnetic field that is parallel to the Aharonov–Bohm solenoid, a static spherically symmetrical electric field, and the field of a magnetic monopole), there are broad classes of additional fields. Among these new additional fields we have physically interesting electric fields acting during a finite time or localized in a restricted region of space. There are additional time-dependent uniform and isotropic electric fields that allow exact solutions of the Schrödinger equation. In the relativistic case there are additional electric fields propagating along the Aharonov–Bohm solenoid with arbitrary electric pulse shape.

arXiv:1103.5515•Journal of Mathematical Physics•May 1, 2012•2 citations

Spin in Classical and Quantum Theory

Herbert C. Corben

The classical equations of motion of a charged point-particle with intrinsic spin under the influence of an external electromagnetic field are restated and compared with the Heisenberg equations of motion derived from the Dirac theory. The partition of angular momentum between particle and field in the classical theory is contrasted to the Dirac theory of electron spin. The analogy between the Dirac equation and the theory of parametric amplification is pointed out.A free spinning point particle moving according to the laws of classical relativistic point-particle mechanics may move along a helix. The sum of the intrinsic spin $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ and the angular momentum of the helical motion in this classical analog of zitterbewegung is an effective spin vector S which is a constant of the motion. Because of this internal motion, the effective mass $M$ of the particle differs from the mass $m$ which is ascribed to it in the equations of motion. Solutions are found in which S is parallel or antiparallel to the momentum, and the sign of $M$ is determined by the helicity. When placed in a uniform electromagnetic field, the particle behaves as if it had a rest mass $M$ and a magnetic moment $\frac{e\ensuremath{\sigma}}{\mathrm{Mc}}$, in addition to any explicit magnetic moment that may be ascribed to it.

Physical Review•Mar 15, 1961•82 citations

Proper time method: generation of analytic solutions of the Dirac equation with classical features

Iwo Białynicki‐Birula, Zofia Białynicka-Birula

Abstract We introduce a new method to derive solutions of the Dirac equation in external static fields that have a direct connection to classical physics. Using it, we derive new analytic solutions of the Dirac equation in a magnetic field, which reproduce the motion of relativistic classical particles. We also generalize this method to the case of crossed electric and magnetic field.

Physica Scripta•Mar 3, 2025•0 citations

Comparing the Schrödinger and Dirac Descriptions of an Electron in a Uniform Magnetic Field

David Velasco Villamizar, Russell, Benjamin

In this article we present a detailed description of an electron in a uniform magnetic field evolving under the Schrödinger equation using ladder operators. Based on this analysis, we describe the same physical system using the Dirac equation, known from relativistic quantum mechanics. The main differences between these two quantum mechanical approaches are discussed and we observe specifically how the relativistic phenomena modify the description of this particular quantum system.

arXiv:1706.00822•Jun 2, 2017•0 citations

Comparing the Schrödinger and Dirac Descriptions of an Electron in a Uniform Magnetic Field

David Velasco Villamizar, Benjamin Russell

Abstract In this article we present a detailed description, using ladder operators, of an electron in a uniform magnetic field evolving under the Schrödinger equation. We go on to describe the same physical system in terms of relativistic quantum mechanics using the Dirac equation and to compare the two models in detail. The main differences between these two quantum mechanical approaches are discussed and we observe specifically how the relativistic phenomena modify the description of this particular quantum system by isolating effects which only exist in the relativistic model.

•Jan 1, 2018•0 citations

Stationary Solutions of the Klein-Gordon Equation in a Potential Field

Guang-Qing Bi, Yuekai Bi

We seek to introduce a mathematical method to derive the Klein-Gordon equation and a set of relevant laws strictly, which combines the relativistic wave functions in two inertial frames of reference. If we define the stationary state wave functions as special solutions like $Ψ(\mathbf{r},t)=ψ(\mathbf{r})e^{-iEt/\hbar}$, and define $m=E/c^2$, which is called the mass of the system, then the Klein-Gordon equation can clearly be expressed in a better form when compared with the non-relativistic limit, which not only allows us to transplant the solving approach of the Schrödinger equation into the relativistic wave equations, but also proves that the stationary solutions of the Klein-Gordon equation in a potential field have the probability significance. For comparison, we have also discussed the Dirac equation. By introducing the concept of system mass into the Klein-Gordon equation with the scalar and vector potentials, we prove that if the Schr\"{o dinger equation in a certain potential field can be solved exactly, then under the condition that the scalar and vector potentials are equal, the Klein-Gordon equation in the same potential field can also be solved exactly by using the same method.

arXiv:1008.4224•Aug 25, 2010•3 citations
Abstract We derive new solutions of the Schrödinger, Klein–Gordon and Dirac equations which describe the motion of particles in a uniform magnetic field. In contrast to the well known stationary solutions, our solutions exhibit the behavior of quantum particles which very closely resembles classical helical trajectories. These solutions also serve as an illustration of the meaning of the Ehrenfest theorem in relativistic quantum mechanics.
The structure of additional electromagnetic fields to the Aharonov–Bohm field, for which the Schrödinger, Klein-Gordon, and Dirac equations can be solved exactly are described and the corresponding exact solutions are found. It is demonstrated that aside from the known cases (a constant and uniform magnetic field that is parallel to the Aharonov–Bohm solenoid, a static spherically symmetrical electric field, and the field of a magnetic monopole), there are broad classes of additional fields. Among these new additional fields we have physically interesting electric fields acting during a finite time or localized in a restricted region of space. There are additional time-dependent uniform and isotropic electric fields that allow exact solutions of the Schrödinger equation. In the relativistic case there are additional electric fields propagating along the Aharonov–Bohm solenoid with arbitrary electric pulse shape.
The classical equations of motion of a charged point-particle with intrinsic spin under the influence of an external electromagnetic field are restated and compared with the Heisenberg equations of motion derived from the Dirac theory. The partition of angular momentum between particle and field in the classical theory is contrasted to the Dirac theory of electron spin. The analogy between the Dirac equation and the theory of parametric amplification is pointed out.A free spinning point particle moving according to the laws of classical relativistic point-particle mechanics may move along a helix. The sum of the intrinsic spin $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ and the angular momentum of the helical motion in this classical analog of zitterbewegung is an effective spin vector S which is a constant of the motion. Because of this internal motion, the effective mass MMM of the particle differs from the mass mmm which is ascribed to it in the equations of motion. Solutions are found in which S is parallel or antiparallel to the momentum, and the sign of MMM is determined by the helicity. When placed in a uniform electromagnetic field, the particle behaves as if it had a rest mass MMM and a magnetic moment $\frac{e\ensuremath{\sigma}}{\mathrm{Mc}}$, in addition to any explicit magnetic moment that may be ascribed to it.
Abstract In this article we present a detailed description, using ladder operators, of an electron in a uniform magnetic field evolving under the Schrödinger equation. We go on to describe the same physical system in terms of relativistic quantum mechanics using the Dirac equation and to compare the two models in detail. The main differences between these two quantum mechanical approaches are discussed and we observe specifically how the relativistic phenomena modify the description of this particular quantum system by isolating effects which only exist in the relativistic model.
We seek to introduce a mathematical method to derive the Klein-Gordon equation and a set of relevant laws strictly, which combines the relativistic wave functions in two inertial frames of reference. If we define the stationary state wave functions as special solutions like Ψ(r,t)=ψ(r)e−iEt/ℏΨ(\mathbf{r},t)=ψ(\mathbf{r})e^{-iEt/\hbar}Ψ(r,t)=ψ(r)e−iEt/ℏ, and define m=E/c2m=E/c^2m=E/c2, which is called the mass of the system, then the Klein-Gordon equation can clearly be expressed in a better form when compared with the non-relativistic limit, which not only allows us to transplant the solving approach of the Schrödinger equation into the relativistic wave equations, but also proves that the stationary solutions of the Klein-Gordon equation in a potential field have the probability significance. For comparison, we have also discussed the Dirac equation. By introducing the concept of system mass into the Klein-Gordon equation with the scalar and vector potentials, we prove that if the Schr\"{o dinger equation in a certain potential field can be solved exactly, then under the condition that the scalar and vector potentials are equal, the Klein-Gordon equation in the same potential field can also be solved exactly by using the same method.