Year: 1999
Type: article
Abstract: A causally well-behaved solution of the localization problem for the free electron is given, with natural space-time transformation properties, in terms of Dirac's position operator x . It is shown that, although x is not an observable in the usual sense, and has no positive-energy (generalized) eigenstates, the four-vector density ( ( x , t ), j ( x , t )/ c ) is observable, and can be localized arbitrarily precisely about any point in space, at any instant of time, using only positive-energy states. A suitable spin operator can be diagonalized at the same time.
Authors: A J Bracken, G F Melloy
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2072939623