Published July 23, 2004 | Version v1
Journal article

Relativistic electron localization and the lack of Zitterbewegung

  • 1. Intense Laser Physics Theory Unit and Department of Physics, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois 61790-4560 (United States)

Description

Using space-time resolved solutions to relativistic quantum field theory we analyze the electron-positron pair creation process from vacuum. For early times the entangled electron-positron wave function can be obtained analytically. We show that there are, in principle, no limitations to the localization length of an electron and demonstrate that its spatial probability density can be much narrower than the Compton wavelength. We also find that quantum field theory prohibits the occurrence of Zitterbewegung for an electron

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
93
Journal Issue
4
Journal Page Range
p. 043004-043004.4
ISSN
0031-9007
CODEN
PRLTAO

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2004 The American Physical Society