Dirac and Maxwell equations in the Clifford and spin-Clifford bundles

Abstract

We show how to write the Dirac and the generalized Maxwell equations (including monopoles) in the Clifford and spin-Clifford bundles (of differential forms) over space-time (either of signaturep=1,q=3 orp=3,q=1). In our approach Dirac and Maxwell fields are represented by objects of the same mathematical nature and the Dirac and Maxwell equations can then be directly compared. We show also that all presentations of the Maxwell equations in (matrix) Dirac-like “spinor” form appearing in the literature can be obtained by choosing particular global idempotents in the bundles referred to above. We investigate also the transformation laws under the action of the Lorentz group of Dirac and Maxwell fields (defined as algebraic spinor sections of the Clifford or spin-Clifford bundles), clearing up several misunderstandings and misconceptions found in the literature. Among the many new results, we exhibit a factorization of the Maxwell field into two-component spinor fields (Weyl spinors), which is important.