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On Thomas-Wigner precession of polarization

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Il Nuovo Cimento A (1965-1970)

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Summary

A very simple derivation of the Thomas equation is given which makes explicit its relation to the canonical representation of the Poincaré group. The equations of motion of the longitudinal and total transverse polarizations are derived. The equations are solved explicitly for some simple but important cases. Comparisons are made throughout with the BMT formalism. In Sect.4, the possible precessional effects of an extra force term proposed by Liebowitz are examined. We take particular care, in the preliminary remarks, to explain the canonical definition of polarization we adopt and its consequences. In Appendix A, among other things, the relation with the Michel-Wightman definition is discussed.

Riassunto

Si espone una semplicissima deduzione dell’equazione di Thomas che rende esplicita la sua relazione con la rappresentazione canonica del gruppo di Poincaré. Si deducono le equazioni del moto delle polarizzazioni totali longitudinale e trasversale. Si risolvono esplicitamente le equazioni in alcuni casi semplici ma importanti. Si fanno in tutto il corso del lavoro confronti con il formalismo BMT. Nella Sez.4 si esaminano i possibili effetti precessionali di un termine di forza in più proposto da Liebowitz. Si prende particolare cura, nelle osservazioni preliminari, di spiegare la definizione canonica della polarizzazione che si adotta e le sue conseguenze. Nell’Appendice A, fra l’altro, si discute la relazione con la definizione di Michel-Wightman.

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Chakrabarti, A. On Thomas-Wigner precession of polarization. Nuovo Cimento A (1965-1970) 43, 576–590 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02756681

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02756681

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