Dirac Theory Research Articles

Thin-disk models in an integrable Weyl–Dirac theory

We construct a class of static, axially symmetric solutions representing razor-thin disks of matter in the Integrable Weyl–Dirac theory proposed in Israelit (Found Phys 29:1303, 1999). The main differences between these solutions and the corresponding general relativistic one are analyzed, focusing on the behavior of physical observables (rotation curves of test particles, density and pressure profiles). We consider the case in which test particles move along Weyl geodesics. The same rotation curve can be obtained from many different solutions of the Weyl–Dirac theory, although some of these solutions present strong qualitative differences with respect to the usual general relativistic model (such as the appearance of a ring-like density profile). In particular, for typical galactic parameters all rotation curves of the Weyl–Dirac model present Keplerian fall-off. As a consequence, we conclude that a more thorough analysis of the problem requires the determination of the gauge function $$\beta $$ on galactic scales, as well as restrictions on the test-particle behavior under the action of the additional geometrical fields introduced by this theory.

Can Dirac quantization of constrained systems be fulfilled within the intrinsic geometry?

For particles constrained on a curved surface, how to perform quantization within Dirac’s canonical quantization scheme is a long-standing problem. On one hand, Dirac stressed that the Cartesian coordinate system has fundamental importance in passing from the classical Hamiltonian to its quantum mechanical form while preserving the classical algebraic structure between positions, momenta and Hamiltonian to the extent possible. On the other, on the curved surface, we have no exact Cartesian coordinate system within intrinsic geometry. These two facts imply that the three-dimensional Euclidean space in which the curved surface is embedded must be invoked otherwise no proper canonical quantization is attainable. In this paper, we take a minimum surface, helicoid, on which the motion is constrained, to explore whether the intrinsic geometry offers a proper framework in which the quantum theory can be established in a self-consistent way. Results show that not only an inconsistency within Dirac theory occurs, but also an incompatibility with Schrödinger theory happens. In contrast, in three-dimensional Euclidean space, the Dirac quantization turns out to be satisfactory all around, and the resultant geometric momentum and potential are then in agreement with those given by the Schrödinger theory.

An extension of the Dirac theory of constraints

Constructions introduced by Dirac for singular Lagrangians are extended and reinterpreted to cover cases when kernel distributions are either nonintegrable or of nonconstant rank, and constraint sets need not be closed.

High spin-Chern insulators with magnetic order.

As a topological insulator, the quantum Hall (QH) effect is indexed by the Chern and spin-Chern numbers and . We have only in conventional QH systems. We investigate QH effects in generic monolayer honeycomb systems. We search for spin-resolved characteristic patterns by exploring Hofstadter's butterfly diagrams in the lattice theory and fan diagrams in the low-energy Dirac theory. It is shown that the spin-Chern number can takes an arbitrary high value for certain QH systems. This is a new type of topological insulators, which we may call high spin-Chern insulators. Samples may be provided by graphene on the SiC substrate with ferromagnetic order, transition-metal dichalcogenides with ferromagnetic order, transition-metal oxide with antiferromagnetic order and silicene with ferromagnetic order. Actually high spin-Chern insulators are ubiquitous in any systems with magnetic order. Nevertheless, the honeycomb system would provide us with unique materials for practical materialization.

Interaction effects on almost flat surface bands in topological insulators

We consider ferromagnetic instabilities of two-dimensional helical Dirac fermions hosted on the surface of three-dimensional topological insulators. We investigate ways to increase the role of interactions by means of modifying the bulk properties which in turn changes both the surface Dirac theory and the screening of interactions. We discuss both the long-ranged part of the Coulomb interactions controlled by the dimensionless coupling constant $\alpha = e^{2}/(\hbar \epsilon v_{F}^{\mathrm{surf}})$ as well as the effects of local interactions parametrized by the ratio $U_{\mathrm{surf}}/D_{\mathrm{surf}}$ of a local interaction on the surface, $U_{\mathrm{surf}}$, and the surface bandwidth, $D_{\mathrm{surf}}$. If large compared to 1, both mechanisms can induce spontaneously surface ferromagnetism, thereby gapping the surface Dirac metal and inducing an anomalous quantum Hall effect. We investigate two mechanisms which can naturally lead to small Fermi velocities $v_{F}^{\mathrm{surf}}$ and a corresponding small bandwidth $D_{\mathrm{surf}}$ at the surface when the bulk band gap is reduced. The same mechanisms can, however, also lead to an enhanced screening of surface interactions. While in all considered cases the long-ranged part of the Coulomb interaction is screened efficiently, $\alpha \lesssim 1$, we discuss situations, where $U_{\mathrm{surf}}/D_{\mathrm{surf}}$ becomes \emph{parametrically}\ large compared to 1, thus inducing surface magnetism.

Gravitomagnetism and Non-commutative Geometry

Similarity between the gravitoelectromagnetism and the electromagnetism is discussed. We show that the gravitomagnetic field (similar to the magnetic field) can be equivalent to the non-commutative effect of the momentum sector of the phase space when one maintains only the first order of the non-commutative parameters. This is performed through two approaches. In one approach, by employing the Feynman proof, the existence of a Lorentz-like force in the gravitoelectromagnetism is indicated. The appearance of such a force is subjected to the slow motion and the weak field approximations for stationary fields. The analogy between this Lorentz-like force and the motion equation of a test particle in a non-commutative space leads to the mentioned equivalency. In fact, this equivalency is achieved by the comparison of the two motion equations. In the other and quietly independent approach, we demonstrate that a gravitomagnetic background can be treated as a Dirac constraint. That is, the gravitoelectromagnetic field can be regarded as a constrained system from the sense of the Dirac theory. Indeed, the application of the Dirac formalism for the gravitoelectromagnetic field reveals that the phase space coordinates have non-commutative structure from the view of the Dirac bracket. Particularly, the gravitomagnetic field as a weak field induces the non-trivial Dirac bracket of the momentum sector which displays the non-commutativity.

Topological Kirchhoff law and bulk-edge correspondence for valley Chern and spin-valley Chern numbers

The valley-Chern and spin-valley-Chern numbers are the key concepts in valleytronics. They are topological numbers in the Dirac theory but not in the tight-binding model. We analyze the bulk-edge correspondence between the two phases which have the same Chern and spin-Chern numbers but different valley-Chern and spin-valley-Chern numbers. The edge state between them is topologically trivial in the tight-binding model but is shown to be as robust as the topological edge. We construct Y-junctions made of topological edges. They satisfy the topological Kirchhoff law, where the topological charges are conserved at the junction. We may interpret a Y-junction as a scattering process of particles which have four topological numbers. It would be a milestone of future topological electronics.

Hamiltonian formulation of the modified Hasegawa–Mima equation

We derive the Hamiltonian structure of the modified Hasegawa-Mima equation from the ion fluid equations applying Dirac's theory of constraints. We discuss the Casimirs obtained from the corresponding Poisson structure.

Spectral flow and the unbounded Kasparov product

We present a fairly general construction of unbounded representatives for the interior Kasparov product. As a main tool we develop a theory of C1-connections on operator ⁎-modules; we do not require any smoothness assumptions; our σ-unitality assumptions are minimal. Furthermore, we use work of Kucerovsky and our recent Local Global Principle for regular operators in Hilbert C⁎-modules.As an application we show that the Spectral Flow Theorem and more generally the index theory of Dirac–Schrödinger operators can be nicely explained in terms of the interior Kasparov product.

Polarization correlations between photons emitted in dielectronic recombination of high-Z ions

Polarization correlations between photons emitted in dielectronic recombination (DR) of initially hydrogen-like ions are analysed based on a density matrix approach and relativistic Dirac's theory. Special attention is given to the non-dipole contributions in the photon field expansion of the electron–photon interaction. In particular, we apply our general formalism to the radiative decay of the L1/2L3/2 resonance that is formed in DR of (initially) hydrogen-like uranium ions. The corresponding calculations show that a mixing between the leading electric dipole (E1) and the magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions can significantly affect the polarization correlations between the emitted photons.

Spin operator in the Dirac theory

We find all spin operators for a Dirac particle satisfying the following very general conditions: (i) spin does not convert positive (negative) energy states into negative (positive) energy states, (ii) spin is a pseudo-vector, and (iii) eigenvalues of the projection of a spin operator on an arbitrary direction are independent of this direction (isotropy condition). We show that there are four such operators and all of them fulfill the standard su(2) Lie algebra commutation relations. Nevertheless, only one of them has a proper non-relativistic limit and acts in the same way on negative and positive energy states. We show also that this operator is equivalent to the Newton-Wigner spin operator and Foldy-Wouthuysen mean-spin operator. We also discuss another operators proposed in the literature.

Casimir invariants and the Jacobi identity in Dirac's theory of constrained Hamiltonian systems

We consider constrained Hamiltonian systems in the framework of Dirac's theory. We show that the Jacobi identity results from imposing that the constraints are Casimir invariants, regardless of whether the matrix of Poisson brackets between constraints is invertible or not. We point out that the proof we provide ensures the validity of the Jacobi identity everywhere in the phase space, and not just on the surface defined by the constraints. Two examples are considered: a finite-dimensional system with an odd number of constraints, and the Vlasov–Poisson reduction from Vlasov–Maxwell equations.

Mapping the orbital wavefunction of the surface states in three-dimensional topological insulators

Topological insulators are novel macroscopic quantum-mechanical phase of matter, which hold promise for realizing some of the most exotic particles in physics as well as application towards spintronics and quantum computation. In all the known topological insulators, strong spin-orbit coupling is critical for the generation of the protected massless surface states. Consequently, a complete description of the Dirac state should include both the spin and orbital (spatial) parts of the wavefunction. For the family of materials with a single Dirac cone, theories and experiments agree qualitatively, showing the topological state has a chiral spin texture that changes handedness across the Dirac point (DP), but they differ quantitatively on how the spin is polarized. Limited existing theoretical ideas predict chiral local orbital angular momentum on the two sides of the DP. However, there have been neither direct measurements nor calculations identifying the global symmetry of the spatial wavefunction. Here we present the first results from angle-resolved photoemission experiment and first-principles calculation that both show, counter to current predictions, the in-plane orbital wavefunctions for the surface states of Bi2Se3 are asymmetric relative to the DP, switching from being tangential to the k-space constant energy surfaces above DP, to being radial to them below the DP. Because the orbital texture switch occurs exactly at the DP this effect should be intrinsic to the topological physics, constituting an essential yet missing aspect in the description of the topological Dirac state. Our results also indicate that the spin texture may be more complex than previously reported, helping to reconcile earlier conflicting spin resolved measurements.

On the Non-uniqueness Problem of the Covariant Dirac Theory and the Spin-Rotation Coupling

Gorbatenko & Neznamov [arXiv:1301.7599] recently claimed the absence of the title problem. In this paper, the reason for that problem is reexplained by using the notions of a unitary transformation and of the mean value of an operator, invoked by them. Their arguments actually aim at proving the uniqueness of a particular prescription for solving this problem. But that prescription is again shown non-unique. Two Hamiltonians in the same reference frame in a Minkowski spacetime, only one of them including the spin-rotation coupling term, are proved to be physically non-equivalent. This confirms that the reality of that coupling should be checked experimentally.

Soft gravitons screen couplings in de Sitter space

The scale invariance of the quantum fluctuations in de Sitter space leads to the appearance of de Sitter symmetry breaking infra-red logarithms in the graviton propagator. We investigate physical effects of soft gravitons on the local dynamics of matter fields well inside the cosmological horizon. We show that the IR logarithms do not spoil Lorentz invariance in scalar and Dirac field theory. The leading IR logarithms can be absorbed by a time dependent wave function renormalization factor in the both cases. In the interacting field theory with $\lambda \phi^4$ and Yukawa interaction, we find that the couplings become time dependent with definite scaling exponents. We argue that the relative scaling exponents of the couplings are gauge invariant and physical as we can use the evolution of a coupling as a physical time.

UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED DETECTOR IN THE κ-DEFORMED DIRAC VACUUM

In this paper, we investigate how a uniformly accelerated detector responds to vacuum state of a Dirac field in the κ-Minkowski spacetime. Starting from κ-deformed Dirac theory, which is invariant under κ-Poincaré algebra, we derive κ-deformed Wightman function for Dirac field, which is valid up to first-order in the deformation parameter a. Using this, we calculate the response function of the uniformly accelerated detector, which is coupled to massless Dirac field in κ-spacetime. From this, we obtain the modification to Unruh effect for the κ-deformed Dirac field, valid up to first-order in the deformation parameter.

Spin effects in strong-field laser-electron interactions

The electron spin degree of freedom can play a significant role in relativistic scattering processes involving intense laser fields. In this contribution we discuss the influence of the electron spin on (i) Kapitza-Dirac scattering in an x-ray laser field of high intensity, (ii) photo-induced electron-positron pair production in a strong laser wave and (iii) multiphoton electron-positron pair production on an atomic nucleus. We show that in all cases under consideration the electron spin can have a characteristic impact on the process properties and their total probabilities. To this end, spin-resolved calculations based on the Dirac equation in the presence of an intense laser field are performed. The predictions from Dirac theory are also compared with the corresponding results from the Klein-Gordon equation.

Chiral Anomaly and Strength of the Electron-Electron Interaction in Graphene

The long-standing controversy concerning the effect of electron-electron interaction on the electrical conductivity of an ideal graphene sheet is settled. Performing the calculation directly in the tight binding approach without the usual prior reduction to the massless Dirac (Weyl) theory, it is found that, to leading order in the interaction strength α=e(2)/ħv(0), the dc conductivity σ/σ(0)=1+Cα+O(α(2)) is significantly enhanced with respect to the independent-electron result σ(0), i.e., with the value C=0.26. The ambiguity characterizing the various existing approaches is nontrivial and related to the chiral anomaly in the system. In order to separate the energy scales in a model with massless fermions, contributions from regions of the Brillouin zone away from the Dirac points have to be accounted for. Experimental consequences of the relatively strong interaction effect are briefly discussed.

HAMILTONIAN DESCRIPTION OF SINGULAR LAGRANGIAN SYSTEMS WITH SPONTANEOUSLY BROKEN TIME TRANSLATION SYMMETRY

Shapere and Wilczek recently found some singular Lagrangian systems which spontaneously breaks time translation symmetry. The common feature of their models is that the energy functions are multi-valued in terms of the canonical phase space variables and the symmetry breaking ground states are all located at the brunching point singularities. By enlarging the phase space and making use of Dirac's theory on constrained Hamiltonian systems, we present the Hamiltonian description of some of the models discussed by Shapere and Wilczek and found that both the multi-valuedness and the brunching point singularities can be avoided, while the spontaneous breaking of time translation becomes more transparent. It is also shown that the breaking of time translation is always accompanied by the breaking of time reversal.

The Hamiltonian structure and Euler-Poincaré formulation of the Vlasov-Maxwell and gyrokinetic systems

We present a new variational principle for the gyrokinetic system, similar to the Maxwell-Vlasov action presented in H. Cendra et al., [J. Math. Phys. 39, 3138 (1998)]. The variational principle is in the Eulerian frame and based on constrained variations of the phase space fluid velocity and particle distribution function. Using a Legendre transform, we explicitly derive the field theoretic Hamiltonian structure of the system. This is carried out with a modified Dirac theory of constraints, which is used to construct meaningful brackets from those obtained directly from Euler-Poincaré theory. Possible applications of these formulations include continuum geometric integration techniques, large-eddy simulation models, and Casimir type stability methods.