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

CRC Press eBooks

Klein-Gordon Equation

Lukong Cornelius Fai

Published Apr 19, 2022• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Before examining the Dirac equation that gives a relativistic quantum mechanical description of the electron, we will examine the Klein-Gordon equation. Compared to the Schrödinger equation, the Dirac equation should have an appreciable modification in the quantum description of the properties of the electron. In the non-relativistic quantum mechanical formulation, we begin with the classical relation for the energy in the absence of interaction, i.e., the kinetic energy: 15.1 https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η = p 2 2 m https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math15_1.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/>

DOI
10.1201/9781003273073-17

Related papers

Dirac Equation

Lukong Cornelius Fai

We re-examine the square of the Hamiltonian, https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math16_1.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , in Equation 15.7 and also the Dirac approach in finding the relativistic Hamiltonian. The classical Hamiltonian for the free particle should be the positive square root of Equation 15.7 which is not a linear function of the momenta. Applying this to the problem, say for example in Equation 15.10, we have the resultant wave equation that is asymmetrical with respect to space and time derivatives and so the necessity to linearize the equation in the momentum operators. So for Equation 15.10, it is impossible to include the Pauli spin matrices without destroying the invariance of the theory since the spin matrices transform the components of a three-dimensional rather than a four-dimensional vector. In addition, the function, https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Ψ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math16_2.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , has one component rather than two components like spinors and so the Schrödinger relativistic equation represents a particle with no spin. So for a potential to be added in Equation 15.10, the Lorentz-transformation properties of such an addition should be guaranteed by matrix algebra which is the requirement for the Hamiltonian https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η ^ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math16_3.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> to be linear in the momentum operators and guarantees relativistic invariance. This matrix algebra which permits the linearization of the Hamiltonian in the momentum operator was introduced by Dirac with the help of the Pauli matrices.

CRC Press eBooks•Apr 19, 2022•0 citations

The Dirac Equation

Pierre VAN BAAL

To obtain a Lorentz invariant Schrödinger equation, we considered the square root of the Klein–Gordon equation. This had the disadvantage that the Hamiltonian https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> H = p → 2 + m 2 https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_603.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> contains an infinite number of powers of https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> p → 2 / m 2 https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_604.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , the parameter in which the square root should be expanded. It would have been better to treat space and time on a more equal footing in the Schrödinger equation. This is what Dirac took as his starting point. As the Schrödinger equation is linear in https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> p 0 = i ∂ / ∂ t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_605.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , one is looking for a Hamiltonian that is linear in the momenta https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> p j = i ∂ / ∂ x j ( = − p j ) https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_606.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> ). ( 12.1 ) https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> i ∂ Ψ ∂ t = H Ψ = − i α k ∂ Ψ ∂ x k + β m Ψ . https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_607.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/>

CRC Press eBooks•Apr 19, 2016•0 citations

Electron Spin in the Dirac Theory

Lukong Cornelius Fai

In non-relativistic quantum mechanics, the angular momentum, https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> L ^ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math18_1.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , is an integral of motion. The spin is added as a supplementary hypothesis. What should be the integral of motion in the Dirac theory for a particle described by the Hamiltonian, https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η ^ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math18_2.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> ?: 18.1 https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η ^ = c α ^ p ^ + β m c 2 https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math18_3.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/>

CRC Press eBooks•Apr 19, 2022•0 citations

Relativistic Schrödinger Equation

Z. Ficek

Show that the Klein–Gordon equation for a free particle is invariant under the Lorentz transformation. The Lorentz transformation is given by ( 20.1 ) x ′ = γ ( x − β c t ) , y ′ = y , z ′ = z , c t ′ = γ ( c t − β x ) , https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429092053/5e12ab0e-ba42-4caa-9bdf-6325e9117d3e/content/eqn20_1.tif"/>

•Apr 27, 2016•1 citation

A Comprehensive Description of the Relativistic Behavior of Electrons

Xiaomin Ren, Yidong Zhang

Based on the previous modifications on Schrödinger equation and Dirac equation in the case of the absence of electromagnetic field, a more comprehensive description of the relativistic behavior of electrons is presented.

Photonics Global Conference•Dec 5, 2025•0 citations

Schrödinger Equation

Lukong Cornelius Fai

In the previous chapter, we did not examine the change of a state with time https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_1.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> . It has been assumed that we have been examining a state at a given moment https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_2.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> . In the general case, the state of a system changes with time https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_3.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> . For example, say the motion of an electron in a potential field, its wave function depends on time https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_4.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> : https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Ψ = Ψ q , t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_5.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> . Such a dependence has to be described by a differential equation in which we may have https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> ∂ Ψ ∂ t , ∂ 2 Ψ ∂ t 2 , ⋯ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_6.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> .

CRC Press eBooks•Apr 19, 2022•0 citations
Before examining the Dirac equation that gives a relativistic quantum mechanical description of the electron, we will examine the Klein-Gordon equation. Compared to the Schrödinger equation, the Dirac equation should have an appreciable modification in the quantum description of the properties of the electron. In the non-relativistic quantum mechanical formulation, we begin with the classical relation for the energy in the absence of interaction, i.e., the kinetic energy: 15.1 https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η = p 2 2 m https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math15_1.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/>
We re-examine the square of the Hamiltonian, https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math16_1.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , in Equation 15.7 and also the Dirac approach in finding the relativistic Hamiltonian. The classical Hamiltonian for the free particle should be the positive square root of Equation 15.7 which is not a linear function of the momenta. Applying this to the problem, say for example in Equation 15.10, we have the resultant wave equation that is asymmetrical with respect to space and time derivatives and so the necessity to linearize the equation in the momentum operators. So for Equation 15.10, it is impossible to include the Pauli spin matrices without destroying the invariance of the theory since the spin matrices transform the components of a three-dimensional rather than a four-dimensional vector. In addition, the function, https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Ψ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math16_2.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , has one component rather than two components like spinors and so the Schrödinger relativistic equation represents a particle with no spin. So for a potential to be added in Equation 15.10, the Lorentz-transformation properties of such an addition should be guaranteed by matrix algebra which is the requirement for the Hamiltonian https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η ^ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math16_3.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> to be linear in the momentum operators and guarantees relativistic invariance. This matrix algebra which permits the linearization of the Hamiltonian in the momentum operator was introduced by Dirac with the help of the Pauli matrices.
To obtain a Lorentz invariant Schrödinger equation, we considered the square root of the Klein–Gordon equation. This had the disadvantage that the Hamiltonian https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> H = p → 2 + m 2 https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_603.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> contains an infinite number of powers of https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> p → 2 / m 2 https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_604.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , the parameter in which the square root should be expanded. It would have been better to treat space and time on a more equal footing in the Schrödinger equation. This is what Dirac took as his starting point. As the Schrödinger equation is linear in https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> p 0 = i ∂ / ∂ t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_605.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , one is looking for a Hamiltonian that is linear in the momenta https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> p j = i ∂ / ∂ x j ( = − p j ) https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_606.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> ). ( 12.1 ) https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> i ∂ Ψ ∂ t = H Ψ = − i α k ∂ Ψ ∂ x k + β m Ψ . https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429073601/03ca065d-1bf0-4218-811d-2f95276252a3/content/equ_607.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/>
In non-relativistic quantum mechanics, the angular momentum, https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> L ^ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math18_1.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> , is an integral of motion. The spin is added as a supplementary hypothesis. What should be the integral of motion in the Dirac theory for a particle described by the Hamiltonian, https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η ^ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math18_2.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> ?: 18.1 https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Η ^ = c α ^ p ^ + β m c 2 https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math18_3.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/>
In the previous chapter, we did not examine the change of a state with time https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_1.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> . It has been assumed that we have been examining a state at a given moment https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_2.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> . In the general case, the state of a system changes with time https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_3.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> . For example, say the motion of an electron in a potential field, its wave function depends on time https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_4.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> : https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> Ψ = Ψ q , t https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_5.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> . Such a dependence has to be described by a differential equation in which we may have https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> ∂ Ψ ∂ t , ∂ 2 Ψ ∂ t 2 , ⋯ https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003273073/d236e21f-f9f6-4e42-b186-ef1c50f0a68b/content/math2_6.tif" xmlns:xlink=" https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink "/> .