Scalar particle in general inertial and gravitational fields and conformal invariance revisited

Abstract

The new manifestation of conformal invariance for a massless scalar particle in a Riemannian spacetime of general relativity is found. Conformal transformations conserve the Hamiltonian and wave function in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation. Similarity of manifestations of conformal invariance for massless scalar and Dirac particles is proved. New exact Foldy-Wouthuysen Hamiltonians are derived for both massive and massless scalar particles in a general static spacetime and in a frame rotating in the Kerr field approximated by a spatially isotropic metric. The latter case covers an observer on the ground of the Earth or on a satellite and takes into account the Lense-Thirring effect. High-precision formulas are obtained for an arbitrary spacetime metric. General quantum-mechanical equations of motion are derived. Their classical limit coincides with corresponding classical equations.