Abstract
In this work, a Clifford algebra approach is used to introduce a charge-current wave structure governed by a Maxwell-like set of equations. A known spinor representation of the electromagnetic field intensities is utilized to recast the equations governing the charge-current densities in a Dirac-like spinor form. Energy-momentum considerations lead to a generalization of the Maxwell electromagnetic symmetric energy-momentum tensor. The generalized tensor includes new terms that represent contributions from the charge-current densities. Stationary spherical modal solutions representing the charge-current densities and the associated self-fields are derived. The use of a Clifford type dependence on time results in a distinct symmetry between the magnetic and electric components. It is shown that, for such spherical modes, the components of the force density deduced from the generalized energy-momentum tensor can vanish under certain conditions.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
A. O. Barut and A. J. Bracken, “Particle-like configurations of the electromagnetic field: An extension of de Broglie's idea,” Found. Phys. 22, 1267-1285 (1992).
R. C. Jennison, “Wavemechanical inertia and the containment of fundamental particles of matter,” J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 16, 3635-3638 (1983).
A. O. Barut, “Quantum theory of single events: Localized de Broglie wavelets, Schro_dinger waves and classical trajectories,” Found. Phys. 20, 1233-1240 (1990).
C. Elbaz, “Some inner physical properties of material particles,” Phys. Lett. A 123, 205-207 (1987).
W. E. Baylis, “Classical eigenspinors and the Dirac equation,” Phys. Rev. A 45, 4293-42302 (1992).
T. Waite, “Smooth vortex-like de Broglie particle_waves,” Ann. Fond. Louis de Broglie 20, 427-471 (1995).
D. Hestenes, “Local observables in the Dirac theory,” J. Math. Phys. 14, 893-905 (1973).
D. Hestenes, “Proper particle mechanics,” J. Math. Phys. 15, 1768-1777 (1974).
D. Hestenes, “Proper dynamics of a rigid point particle,” J. Math. Phys. 15, 1778-1786 (1974).
D. Hestenes, “Observables, operators, and complex numbers in the Dirac theory,” J. Math. Phys. 16, 556-572 (1975).
R. Gurtler and D. Hestenes, “Consistency in the formulation of the Dirac, Pauli, and Schro_dinger theories,” J. Math. Phys. 16, 573-584 (1975).
D. Hestenes, “Spin and uncertainty in the interpretation of quantum mechanics,” Am. J. Phys. 47, 399-415 (1979).
D. Hestenes, “Unified language for mathematics and physics,” in Clifford Algebras and Their Application in Mathematical Physics, J. S. R. Chislom and A. K. Common, eds. (Reidel, The Netherlands, 1986).
D. Hestenes, “Clifford algebra and the interpretation of quantum mechanics,” in Clifford Algebras and Their Application in Mathematical Physics, J. S. R. Chislom and A. K. Common, eds. (Reidel, The Netherlands, 1986).
W. E. Baylis, J. Huschilt, and Jiansu Wei, “Why i?” Am. J. Phys. 60, 788-797 (1992).
W. E. Baylis and G. Jones, “The Pauli algebra approach to special relativity,” J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 22, 1-15 (1989).
W. E. Baylis and G. Jones, “Relativistic dynamics of charges in external fields: The Pauli algebra approach,” J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 22, 17-29 (1989).
K. R. Greider, “A unifying Clifford algebra formalism for relativistic fields,” Found. Phys. 14, 467-505 (1984).
D. Hestenes, “The zitterbewegung interpretation of quantum mechanics,” Found. Phys. 20, 1213-1233 (1990).
D. Hestenes, “Zitterbewegung modeling,” Found. Phys. 23, 365-387 (1993).
G. Salesi and E. Recami, “Field theory of the spinning electron and internal motions,” Phys. Lett. A 190, 137-143 (1994).
M. Pavsš ic, E. Recami, W. A. Rodrigues, Jr., G. D. Maccarrone, F. Raciti, and G. Salesi, “Spin and electron structure,” Phys. Lett. B 318, 481-488 (1993).
W. A. Rodrigues, Jr., J. Vaz, Jr., E. Recami, and G. Salesi, “About Zitterbewegung and electron structure,” Phys. Lett. B 318, 623-628 (1993).
J. Vaz, Jr., “The Barut and Zanghi model, and some generalizations” Phys. Lett. B 344, 149-157 (1995).
E. Recami and G. Salesi, “Field theory of the spinning electron: About the new nonlinear field equations,” Adv. Appl. Cliff. Alg. 6, 27-36 (1996).
W. A. Rodrigues, Jr., J. Vaz, Jr., and E. Recami, in Courants, Amers E_cueils En Micro-physique: Directions in Microphysics, G. P. Lochak, ed. (Paris, 1993). See also W. A. Rodrigues, Jr., and J. Vaz, Jr. “Subluminal and superluminal solutions in vacuum of the Maxwell equations and the massless Dirac equation;” preprint.
A. M. Shaarawi, I. M. Besieris, and R. W. Ziolkowski, “A novel approach to the synthesis of nondispersive wave packet solutions to the Klein_Gordon and Dirac equations,” J. Math. Phys. 31, 2511-2519 (1990).
L. Mackinnon, “A nondispersive de Broglie wave packet,” Found. Phys. 8, 157–176 (1978). See also L. Mackinnon, “Particle rest mass and the de Broglie wave packet,” Lett. Nuovo Cimento 31, 37–38 (1981).
C. Elbaz, “Quelques proprié té s ciné matiques des ondes stationaires,” C. R. Acad. Sc. II 297, 455-458 (1983).
C. Elbaz, “On self-field electromagnetic properties for extended material particles,” Phys. Lett. A 127,308-314 (1988).
C. Elbaz, “Some physical properties of the amplitude function of material particles,” Phys. Lett. A 114, 445-450 (1986).
R. Mignani, E. Recami, and M. Baldo, “About a Dirac-like equation for the photon according to Majorana,” Lett. al Nuovo Cimento 11, 568-572 (1974).
E. Giannetto, “A Majorana_Oppenheimer formulation of quantum electrodynamics,” Lett. Nuovo Cimento 44, 140-144 (1985).
W. A. Rodrigues, Jr., J. Vaz, Jr., and E. Recami, “A generalization of Dirac nonlinear elec-trodynamics, and spinning of charged particles,” Found. Phys. 23, 469-485 (1993).
W. A. Rodrigues, Jr. and E. Capelas de Oliviera, “Dirac and Maxwell equations in the Clifford and spin-Clifford bundles,” Int. J. Theor. Phys. 29, 397-412 (1990).
J. Vaz, Jr. and W. A. Rodrigues, Jr., “Equivalence of Dirac and Maxwell equations and quantum mechanics,” Int. J. Theor. Phys. 32, 945-959 (1993).
A. A. Campolattaro, “New spinor representation of Maxwell's equations. I. Generalities,” Int. J. Theor. Phys. 19, 99-126 (1980).
A. A. Campolattaro, “New spinor representation of Maxwell's equations. II. Algebraic properties,” Int. J. Theor. Phys. 19, 127-138 (1980).
A. A. Campolattaro, “Generalized Maxwell equations and quantum mechanics. I. Dirac equation for the free-electron,” Int. J. Theor. Phys. 29, 141-155 (1990).
A. A. Campolattaro, “Generalized Maxwell equations and quantum mechanics. II. Generalized Dirac equation,” Int. J. Theor. Phys. 29, 477-482 (1990).
W. E. Baylis, ed., Clifford (Geometric) Algebras with Applications in Physics, Mathematics and Engineering (Birkhaä user, Boston, 1996).
J. D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics (Wiley, New York, 1975).
G. Y. Rainich, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 27, 106 (1925).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shaarawi, A.M. Clifford Algebra Formulation of an Electromagnetic Charge-Current Wave Theory. Foundations of Physics 30, 1911–1941 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003762405951
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003762405951