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1 The Dirac Equation

One of the first attempts at a relativistic quantum mechanical wave equation
was the Klein-Gordon (KG) equation. Though it is theoretically sound from the
perspective that it is consistent with both classical quantum mechanics and the
special theory of relativity, it has several unsavory features which keep it
from being a very powerful tool in relativistic quantum mechanics. Dirac later
developed his own relativistic wave equation which did not have some of the
shortcomings of the Klein-Gordon equation. Dirac's formulation also led to the
discovery that some of the supposed ``errors'' of the KG equation were actually
illustrating some new physics. The Dirac equation is only rigorous for a one
particle system, but has been used as a starting point for a number of
approximate many electron methods.

1.1 Klein-Gordon Equation

1.2 Dirac's Free Particle Equation

1.3 Hydrogenic Solutions of Dirac's Equation

1.4 Electron Spin Angular Momentum and Magnetic Moment

This document is copyright 1996,
Thu May 29 08:12:02 EDT
1997