The relativistic Pauli equation

Abstract

After discussing the way that C2 and the algebra of complex 2x2 matrices can be used for the representation of both non-relativistic rotations and Lorentz transformations, we show that Dirac bispinors can be more advantageously represented as 2x2 complex matrices. One can then give the Dirac equation a form for such matrix-valued wave functions that no longer necessitates the introduction of gamma matrices or a choice for their representation. The minimally-coupled Dirac equation for a charged spinning particle in an external electromagnetic field then implies a second order equation in the matrix-valued wave functions that is of Klein-Gordon type and represents the relativistic analogue of the Pauli equation. We conclude by presenting the Lagrangian form for the relativistic Pauli equation.