Published June 1, 2015 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

The Pauli–Lubański vector, complex electrodynamics, and photon helicity

Creators

  • 1. School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1804 (United States)
  • 2. School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences and Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1804 (United States)

Description

We critically analyze the concept of photon helicity and its connection with the Pauli–Lubański vector from the viewpoint of the complex electromagnetic field, E + i H , sometimes attributed to Riemann but studied by Weber, Silberstein, and Minkowski. To this end, a complex covariant form of Maxwell's equations is used. Weyl's two-component wave equation for massless neutrinos is also briefly discussed. (paper)

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0031-8949/90/7/074065

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1088/0031-8949/90/7/074065;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physica Scripta (Online)
Journal Volume
90
Journal Issue
7
Journal Page Range
[8 p.]
ISSN
1402-4896

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
51040565
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
COMPLEXES; ELECTRODYNAMICS; ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS; HELICITY; MINKOWSKI SPACE; NEUTRINOS; PHOTONS; VECTORS; WAVE EQUATIONS
Descriptors DEC
BOSONS; DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; EQUATIONS; FERMIONS; LEPTONS; MASSLESS PARTICLES; MATHEMATICAL SPACE; PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS; PARTICLE PROPERTIES; SPACE; TENSORS