PHL744

Problem Set III

Dirac Equation and Covariance
11 Mar 2014
These problems are straightforward but essential for you to understand and
be comfortable with relativistic quantum mechanics.
1. Construct explicitly the eigenstates of the velocity operator along the
x-axis:
x
. Expand the eigenstates in the basis of energy eigenstates
of Dirac equation.
2. Starting with the equation for , obtain the equation satised by

.
Write the equation employing

p.
3. Verify that the generators

=
i
2
[

] satisfy the algebra of the

generators of Lorentz transformations
4. Verify that
0i
(
ij
) is antihermitian/hermitian
5. Show that S
1

S = L

6. Verify explicitly the following:

(a)

transform like four vectors

(b)

is a Lorentz scalar
(c)

is a 4-vector
(d)
0
S

0
= S
1
7. Recall the denition

A A

. Verify the following trace identities

explicitly (Some of it will be covered in the class).
(a) Tr

A = 0
(b)

A

A = A A
(c)

A

B +

B

A = 2A B
(d) Tr

A

B = 4A B. Equivalently, Tr

= 4

.
1
(e) Tr

A

C

D = 4(A BC D+ A DB C A CB D)
(f) Tr

n
= 0 if n is odd
(g) Tr
5

C

D

. I have put the proportionality

sign because I do not remember the exact factor.
2