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APS

``Zitterbewegung" of a Photon

Donald H. Kobe

Published Oct 1, 1998• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Abstract A single photon, satisfying a relativistic Schrodinger-like equation, has a velocity operator that undergoes oscillations in a direction orthogonal to its momentum. This Zitterbewegung has a spatial amplitude equal to the classical wavelength. The spin of the photon is the orbital angular momentum due to the Zitterbewegung.

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On the Zitterbewegung of the Dirac Electron

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The detailed motion of a free Dirac electron is investigated by examining the expectation values of the position r and of r×ṙ in a wave packet. It is shown that the well-known zitterbewegung may be looked upon as a circular motion about the direction of the electron spin, with a radius equal to the Compton wavelength (divided by 2π) of the electron. It is further shown that the intrinsic spin of the electron may be looked upon as the “orbital angular momentum” of this motion. The current produced by the zitterbewegung is seen to give rise to the intrinsic magnetic moment of the electron.

American Journal of Physics•Nov 1, 1952•226 citations

A Simple Model of the Classical Zitterbewegung: Photon Wave Function

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We propose a simple classical model the zitterbewegung. In this model spin is proportional to the velocity o f the particle, lhe component parallel to p is constant and the orthogonal components are oscillating with 2p frequency. The quantization o f the system gives wave equations for spin O, 1/2, 1, 3/2,..., etc. respectively. These equations are convenient for massless particles. The wave equation of the spin-l, massless free particle is equivalent to the Maxwell equations and the state functions have a probability interpretation and exhibit conserved current densities. The ground state has zero energy.

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Zitterbewegung and the internal geometry of the electron

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Schr\"odinger's work on the Zitterbewegung of the free electron is reexamined. His proposed "microscopic momentum" vector for the Zitterbewegung is rejected in favor of a "relative momentum" vector, with the value $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{P}}=mc\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ in the rest frame of the center of mass. His oscillatory "microscopic coordinate" vector is retained. In the rest frame, it takes the form $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}=\ensuremath{-}i(\frac{\ensuremath{\hbar}}{2mc})\ensuremath{\beta}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$, and the Zitterbewegung is described in this frame in terms of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{P}}$, $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$, and the Hamiltonian $m{c}^{2}\ensuremath{\beta}$, as a finite three-dimensional harmonic oscillator with a compact phase space. The Lie algebra generated by $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$ and $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{P}}$ is that of SO(5), and in particular $[{Q}_{i},{P}_{j}]=\ensuremath{-}i\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{ij}}\ensuremath{\beta}$. It is argued that the simplest possible finite, three-dimensional, isotropic, quantum-mechanical system requires such an SO(5) structure, incorporates a fundamental length, and has harmonic-oscillator dynamics. Dirac's equation is derived as the wave equation appropriate to the description of such a finite quantum system in an arbitrary moving frame of reference, using a dynamical group SO(3,2) which can be extended to SO(4,2). Spin appears here as the orbital angular momentum associated with the internal system, and rest-mass energy appears as the internal energy in the rest frame. Possible generalizations of these ideas are indicated, in particular those involving higher-dimensional representations of SO(5).

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Zitterbewegung of massless particles

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Zitterbewegung of massless particles with an arbitrary spin is analyzed in various representations. Dynamics of the group velocity of a massless particle as a whole and of the corresponding radius vector is determined. This radius vector defines any fixed point of the envelope of the moving wave packet characterizing the particle and its group velocity differs from the group velocities of any points of the wavefront. We consider free massless scalar and Dirac particles, the photon, and massive and massless particles with an arbitrary spin and describe them in different representations. For particles with an arbitrary spin, the generalized Feshbach-Villars representation and the Foldy-Wouthuysen one are used. Zitterbewegung takes place in any representation except for the Foldy-Wouthuysen one. Formulas describing the motion of a ``trembling'' free particle are the same in any representation. In the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation, the operators of the velocity and momentum of a free particle are proportional and Zitterbewegung does not take place. Since the radius vector (position) and velocity operators are the quantum-mechanical counterparts of the classical position and velocity just in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation, Zitterbewegung is not observable. The same conclusion has been previously made for free massive particles. For relativistic massive particles with spins 0, 1/2, 1 and massless particles with spins 0, 1/2 in arbitrarily strong electromagnetic fields, independent of the external fields Zitterbewegung does not appear in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation either. This conclusion is made for leading terms in the Hamiltonian proportional to the zero and first powers of the Planck constant and for such terms proportional to ${\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{2}$ which describe contact interactions.

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Relativistic Mechanics Theory for Electrons that Exhibits Spin, Zitterbewegung, Superposition and Produces Dirac's Wave Equation

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A neo-classical relativistic mechanics theory is presented where the spin of an electron is a natural part of its space-time path as a point particle. The fourth-order equation of motion corresponds to the same Lagrangian function in proper time as in special relativity except for an additional spin energy term. The total motion can be decomposed into a sum of a local spin motion about a point and a global motion of this point, called the spin center. The global motion is sub-luminal and obeys Newton's second law in proper time, the time for a clock fixed at the spin center, while the total motion occurs at the speed of light c, consistent with the eigenvalues of Dirac's velocity operators having magnitude c. The local spin motion corresponds to Schrödinger's zitterbewegung and is a perpetual motion, which for a free electron has a circular path in the spin-center frame. In an electro-magnetic field, this spin motion generates magnetic and electric dipole energies through the Lorentz force on the electron's point charge. The corresponding electric dipole energy is consistent with the spin-orbit coupling term in the corrected Pauli non-relativistic Hamiltonian but the magnetic dipole energy is one half of that in Dirac's theory. By defining a spin tensor as the angular momentum of the electron's total motion about its spin center, the fundamental equations of motion can be re-written in an identical form to those of the Barut-Zanghi electron theory. These equations of motion can then be expressed using operators applied to a state function of proper time satisfying a Dirac-Schrödinger spinor equation. The operators produce dynamic variables without any probability implications. For the free electron, the state function satisfies Dirac's relativistic wave equation when the Lorentz transformation is applied to express proper time in terms of an observer's space-time coordinates.

arXiv:2108.07267•Aug 14, 2021•2 citations

Zitterbewegung and the Charge of an Electron

Basil S. Davis

Dirac's Relativistic Wave Equation implies a measured electron velocity of $\pm c$ in any direction, in contradiction to Special Relativity and observation. It is shown in this article that this anomalous electron velocity reveals an internal structure of the electron whereby the mass and the charge of the electron cannot be described by the same position operator. The measured velocity of electron mass is always less than $c$ in any direction but charge can be displaced at the speed of light. This speed is realizable only when the electron is in a state that is a superposition of positive and negative energy states, also known as a zitterbewegung state. It is shown that in zitterbewegung it is the charge and not the mass that undergoes rapid spatial oscillation, and that there are measurable consequences of this charge zitterbewegung. Zitterbewegung of charge also occurs in an entangled electron-positron pair created by a strong electric field.

arXiv:2006.16003•Jun 25, 2020•4 citations
The detailed motion of a free Dirac electron is investigated by examining the expectation values of the position r and of r×ṙ in a wave packet. It is shown that the well-known zitterbewegung may be looked upon as a circular motion about the direction of the electron spin, with a radius equal to the Compton wavelength (divided by 2π) of the electron. It is further shown that the intrinsic spin of the electron may be looked upon as the “orbital angular momentum” of this motion. The current produced by the zitterbewegung is seen to give rise to the intrinsic magnetic moment of the electron.
We propose a simple classical model the zitterbewegung. In this model spin is proportional to the velocity o f the particle, lhe component parallel to p is constant and the orthogonal components are oscillating with 2p frequency. The quantization o f the system gives wave equations for spin O, 1/2, 1, 3/2,..., etc. respectively. These equations are convenient for massless particles. The wave equation of the spin-l, massless free particle is equivalent to the Maxwell equations and the state functions have a probability interpretation and exhibit conserved current densities. The ground state has zero energy.
Schr\"odinger's work on the Zitterbewegung of the free electron is reexamined. His proposed "microscopic momentum" vector for the Zitterbewegung is rejected in favor of a "relative momentum" vector, with the value $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{P}}=mc\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ in the rest frame of the center of mass. His oscillatory "microscopic coordinate" vector is retained. In the rest frame, it takes the form $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}=\ensuremath{-}i(\frac{\ensuremath{\hbar}}{2mc})\ensuremath{\beta}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$, and the Zitterbewegung is described in this frame in terms of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{P}}$, $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$, and the Hamiltonian $m{c}^{2}\ensuremath{\beta}$, as a finite three-dimensional harmonic oscillator with a compact phase space. The Lie algebra generated by $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$ and $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{P}}$ is that of SO(5), and in particular $[{Q}_{i},{P}_{j}]=\ensuremath{-}i\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{ij}}\ensuremath{\beta}$. It is argued that the simplest possible finite, three-dimensional, isotropic, quantum-mechanical system requires such an SO(5) structure, incorporates a fundamental length, and has harmonic-oscillator dynamics. Dirac's equation is derived as the wave equation appropriate to the description of such a finite quantum system in an arbitrary moving frame of reference, using a dynamical group SO(3,2) which can be extended to SO(4,2). Spin appears here as the orbital angular momentum associated with the internal system, and rest-mass energy appears as the internal energy in the rest frame. Possible generalizations of these ideas are indicated, in particular those involving higher-dimensional representations of SO(5).
Zitterbewegung of massless particles with an arbitrary spin is analyzed in various representations. Dynamics of the group velocity of a massless particle as a whole and of the corresponding radius vector is determined. This radius vector defines any fixed point of the envelope of the moving wave packet characterizing the particle and its group velocity differs from the group velocities of any points of the wavefront. We consider free massless scalar and Dirac particles, the photon, and massive and massless particles with an arbitrary spin and describe them in different representations. For particles with an arbitrary spin, the generalized Feshbach-Villars representation and the Foldy-Wouthuysen one are used. Zitterbewegung takes place in any representation except for the Foldy-Wouthuysen one. Formulas describing the motion of a ``trembling'' free particle are the same in any representation. In the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation, the operators of the velocity and momentum of a free particle are proportional and Zitterbewegung does not take place. Since the radius vector (position) and velocity operators are the quantum-mechanical counterparts of the classical position and velocity just in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation, Zitterbewegung is not observable. The same conclusion has been previously made for free massive particles. For relativistic massive particles with spins 0, 1/2, 1 and massless particles with spins 0, 1/2 in arbitrarily strong electromagnetic fields, independent of the external fields Zitterbewegung does not appear in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation either. This conclusion is made for leading terms in the Hamiltonian proportional to the zero and first powers of the Planck constant and for such terms proportional to ${\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{2}$ which describe contact interactions.
A neo-classical relativistic mechanics theory is presented where the spin of an electron is a natural part of its space-time path as a point particle. The fourth-order equation of motion corresponds to the same Lagrangian function in proper time as in special relativity except for an additional spin energy term. The total motion can be decomposed into a sum of a local spin motion about a point and a global motion of this point, called the spin center. The global motion is sub-luminal and obeys Newton's second law in proper time, the time for a clock fixed at the spin center, while the total motion occurs at the speed of light c, consistent with the eigenvalues of Dirac's velocity operators having magnitude c. The local spin motion corresponds to Schrödinger's zitterbewegung and is a perpetual motion, which for a free electron has a circular path in the spin-center frame. In an electro-magnetic field, this spin motion generates magnetic and electric dipole energies through the Lorentz force on the electron's point charge. The corresponding electric dipole energy is consistent with the spin-orbit coupling term in the corrected Pauli non-relativistic Hamiltonian but the magnetic dipole energy is one half of that in Dirac's theory. By defining a spin tensor as the angular momentum of the electron's total motion about its spin center, the fundamental equations of motion can be re-written in an identical form to those of the Barut-Zanghi electron theory. These equations of motion can then be expressed using operators applied to a state function of proper time satisfying a Dirac-Schrödinger spinor equation. The operators produce dynamic variables without any probability implications. For the free electron, the state function satisfies Dirac's relativistic wave equation when the Lorentz transformation is applied to express proper time in terms of an observer's space-time coordinates.
Dirac's Relativistic Wave Equation implies a measured electron velocity of ±c\pm c±c in any direction, in contradiction to Special Relativity and observation. It is shown in this article that this anomalous electron velocity reveals an internal structure of the electron whereby the mass and the charge of the electron cannot be described by the same position operator. The measured velocity of electron mass is always less than ccc in any direction but charge can be displaced at the speed of light. This speed is realizable only when the electron is in a state that is a superposition of positive and negative energy states, also known as a zitterbewegung state. It is shown that in zitterbewegung it is the charge and not the mass that undergoes rapid spatial oscillation, and that there are measurable consequences of this charge zitterbewegung. Zitterbewegung of charge also occurs in an entangled electron-positron pair created by a strong electric field.