Tell me more ×
Physics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for active researchers, academics and students of physics. It's 100% free, no registration required.

The dirac equation;$$(i\gamma^\mu\partial_{\mu} - m)\psi=0 $$ is just; $$(i\gamma^{0}\partial_{0} - i\gamma^{i}\partial_{i} - m)\psi=0 $$ in a (+,---) metric right?

share|improve this question

2 Answers

The expression $A^{\mu}B_{\mu}$ simply means that $$A^{\mu}B_{\mu}=A^{0}B_{0}+A^{1}B_{1}+A^{2}B_{2}+A^{3}B_{3}$$

Using the Minkowski metric with signature $(+---)$ you write this as

$$A^{\mu}B_{\mu}=A^{\mu}\eta_{\mu\nu}B^{\nu}=A^{0}B^{0}-A^{1}B^{1}-A^{2}B^{2}-A^{3}B^{3}$$

The metric simply tells you have how the components of a vector and its dual vector (covariant vector) are associated. With this specific metric and signature we have $B_0=B^0$ and $B_i=-B^i$, $i=1,2,3$.

In Dirac equation we have

$$\gamma^{\mu}\partial_{\mu}=\gamma^{0}\partial_{0}+\gamma^{1}\partial_{1}+\gamma^{2}\partial_{2}+\gamma^{3}\partial_{3}=\gamma^{0}\partial_{0}+\gamma^{i}\partial_{i}=\\ =\gamma^{\mu}\eta_{\mu\nu}\partial^{\nu}=\gamma^{0}\partial^{0}-\sum_{i=1}^{3}\gamma^{i}\partial^{i}$$

therefore $$(i\gamma^{0}\partial_{0} + i\gamma^{i}\partial_{i} - m)\psi=0 $$

$$%(i\gamma^{0}\partial^{0} - i\sum_{i=1}^{3}\gamma^{i}\partial^{i} - m)\psi=0 $$

or

$$(i\gamma^{0}\partial^{0} - i\sum_{i=1}^{3}\gamma^{i}\partial^{i} - m)\psi=0 $$

$$\partial_0=\partial^0=\frac{\partial}{\partial t},\hspace{0.2cm}\partial_i=-\partial^i=\vec{\nabla}_i$$

share|improve this answer
Thx guys, is it fair when deriving $\mathcal{H}$ to set it equal to $+\mathcal{L}-\frac{\partial \mathcal{L}}{\partial\dot{\psi}}\dot{\psi}$ to say that the lag density $\rightarrow 0$ so $\mathcal{H}= i\psi^{\dagger}\dot{\psi}$? – user21119 Mar 19 at 19:54

No, it's with a plus. You don't need to change the sign unless both indices are upper (or lower).

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.