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arXiv:quant-ph/9903073 · Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General

The Dirac oscillator. A relativistic version of the Jaynes-Cummings model

P Rozmej, Robert Arvieu

Published Jan 1, 1999• 100 citations
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Abstract

The dynamics of wavepackets in a relativistic Dirac oscillator (DO) is compared with that of the Jaynes-Cummings model. The strong spin-orbit coupling of the DO produces the entanglement of the spin with the orbital motion similar to that observed in the model of quantum optics. The resulting collapses and revivals of the spin extend to a relativistic theory our previous findings on a nonrelativistic oscillator where they were known as spin-orbit pendulum . The Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation can be performed exactly for the DO. It produces the well known smoothing effect over the Compton wavelength. Thus, after this transformation, zitterbewegung disappears just as the components of the WP associated to negative energy states.

DOI
10.1088/0305-4470/32/28/314

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The dynamics of wavepackets in a relativistic Dirac oscillator (DO) is compared with that of the Jaynes-Cummings model. The strong spin-orbit coupling of the DO produces the entanglement of the spin with the orbital motion similar to that observed in the model of quantum optics. The resulting collapses and revivals of the spin extend to a relativistic theory our previous findings on a nonrelativistic oscillator where they were known as spin-orbit pendulum . The Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation can be performed exactly for the DO. It produces the well known smoothing effect over the Compton wavelength. Thus, after this transformation, zitterbewegung disappears just as the components of the WP associated to negative energy states.
The dynamics of wave packets in a relativistic Dirac oscillator is compared to that of the Jaynes-Cummings model. The strong spin-orbit coupling of the Dirac oscillator produces the entanglement of the spin with the orbital motion similar to what is observed in the model of quantum optics. The collapses and revivals of the spin which result extend to a relativistic theory our previous findings on nonrelativistic oscillator where they were known under the name of `spin-orbit pendulum'. There are important relativistic effects (lack of periodicity, zitterbewegung, negative energy states). Many of them disappear after a Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation.
The Dirac oscillator is a relativistic quantum system, characterized by its linearity in both position and momentum. Moreover, considering (1+1)(1{+}1)(1+1) and (2+1)(2{+}1)(2+1) dimensions, the system can be mapped onto the Jaynes-Cummings and anti-Jaynes-Cummings models, as illustrated in an exact manner by Bermudez \textit{et al.} [\href{ https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.76.041801}{Phys. Rev. A 76, 041801(R) (2007)}]. Using the optical counterparts of the Dirac oscillator, we analyze an extension of the model that incorporates a time-dependent frequency. We focus on the consequences of these time modulations on the angular momentum observables and spin-orbit entanglement. Noticeable changes in the \emph{Zitterbewegung} are found. We show that a specific choice of time dependence yields aperiodic evolution of the observables, whereas an alternative choice allows analytical solutions.
We discuss an extension of the theory of {\em spin-orbit pendulum} phenomenon given in [1] to relativistic approach. It is done within the so called Dirac Oscillator. Our first results, focusing on circular wave packet motion have been published recently [2]. The scope of this paper is motion of a linear wave packet. In relativistic approach we found {\em Zitterbewegung} in spin-orbit motion (in Dirac representation) due to coupling to negative energy states. This effect is washed out in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation. Another important change with respect to non-relativistic case is the loss of periodicity. The phenomenon reminds the time evolution of population inversion in Jaynes-Cummings model.
We discuss an extension of the theory of spin-orbit pendulum phenomenon given in [1] to relativistic approach. It is done within the so called Dirac Oscillator. Our first results, focusing on circular wave packet motion have been published recently [2]. The scope of this paper is motion of a linear wave packet. In relativistic approach we found Zitterbewegung in spin-orbit motion (in Dirac representation) due to coupling to negative energy states. This effect is washed out in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation. Another important change with respect to non-relativistic case is the loss of periodicity. The phenomenon reminds the time evolution of population inversion in Jaynes-Cummings model. PACS numbers: 03.65.Sq, 03.65.Ge 1.
The behaviour of wavepackets of the `Dirac oscillator' in (1 + 1) dimensions is examined. The Dirac oscillator is a relativistic extension of the harmonic oscillator. We construct a wavepacket in the usual Dirac representation and another one in the Foldy - Wouthuysen (FW) representation. In the nonrelativistic limit, these wavepackets are both reduced to Schrödinger's coherent wavepacket for the harmonic oscillator. The wavepacket in the Dirac representation exhibits Zitterbewegung whereas the one in the FW representation does not. We find that the wavepacket in the FW representation behaves much more like a classical particle than that of the Dirac representation. This gives insights into Ehrenfest's theorem for the Dirac equation.