Abstract
The behaviour of charged particles at electromagnetic steps is analysed using the powerful mathematical tools provided by the SpaceTime Algebra. Currents predicted in the evanescent region of a Dirac wavefunction strongly suggest that the electron “zitterbewegung” (ZBW) represents a real circulation. At higher potentials, the Klein paradox reveals a crucial difficulty of interpretation of “positronic” wavefunctions that must be overcome before Hestenes’ ZBW model can be taken seriously. The problem of radiation reaction is still not solved. Solutions of the Lorentz-Dirac equation for a potential step show crazy teleological features: certain input velocities have no possible future output states. The prospects for realistic electron models are briefly discussed.
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© 1991 Kluwer Academic Publishers
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Gull, S.F. (1991). Charged Particles at Potential Steps. In: Hestenes, D., Weingartshofer, A. (eds) The Electron. Fundamental Theories of Physics, vol 45. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3570-2_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3570-2_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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