Spin state in the propagation of quantum relativistic particles along classical trajectories

Abstract

We address the propagation of the spin along classical trajectories for a 1/2-spin particle obeying the Dirac equation with scalar potentials. Focusing on classical trajectories as the exact propagation of wave-function discontinuities we find an explicit spin-transport law for the case of the Dirac oscillator. In the general case we examine the spin propagation along classical trajectories emerging as an approximation of the quantum dynamics via the mechanical analog of the optical eikonal asymptotic approach. Throughout we establish as many parallels as possible with the equivalent situation for the electromagnetic field.