Physics – Quantum Physics
Scientific paper
2006-08-28
Theor.Math.Phys.150:34-72,2007
Physics
Quantum Physics
44 pages, LaTex file, to be published in Teor.Mat.Fiz. (Theor.Math.Phys.)
Scientific paper
10.1007/s11232-007-0004-5
We consider the quantum-mechanical problem of a relativistic Dirac particle moving in the Coulomb field of a point charge $Ze$. In the literature, it is often declared that a quantum-mechanical description of such a system does not exist for charge values exceeding the so-called critical charge with $% Z=\alpha ^{-1}=137$ based on the fact that the standard expression for the lower bound state energy yields complex values at overcritical charges. We show that from the mathematical standpoint, there is no problem in defining a self-adjoint Hamiltonian for any value of charge. What is more, the transition through the critical charge does not lead to any qualitative changes in the mathematical description of the system. A specific feature of overcritical charges is a non uniqueness of the self-adjoint Hamiltonian, but this non uniqueness is also characteristic for charge values less than the critical one (and larger than the subcritical charge with $Z=(\sqrt{3}% /2)\alpha ^{-1}=118$). We present the spectra and (generalized) eigenfunctions for all self-adjoint Hamiltonians. The methods used are the methods of the theory of self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators and the Krein method of guiding functionals. The relation of the constructed one-particle quantum mechanics to the real physics of electrons in superstrong Coulomb fields where multiparticle effects may be of crucial importance is an open question.
Gitman Dmitri M.
Tyutin I. V.
Voronov Boris L.
No associations
LandOfFree
Dirac Hamiltonian with superstrong Coulomb field does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Dirac Hamiltonian with superstrong Coulomb field, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dirac Hamiltonian with superstrong Coulomb field will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-333901