The relativistic spherical $\delta$-shell interaction in $\mathbb{R}^3$: spectrum and approximation

Abstract

This note revolves on the free Dirac operator in $\mathbb{R}^3$ and its $\delta$-shell interaction with electrostatic potentials supported on a sphere. On one hand, we characterize the eigenstates of those couplings by finding sharp constants and minimizers of some precise inequalities related to an uncertainty principle. On the other hand, we prove that the domains given by Dittrich, Exner and \v{S}eba [Dirac operators with a spherically symmetric $\delta$-shell interaction, J. Math. Phys. 30.12 (1989), 2875-2882] and by Arrizabalaga, Mas and Vega [Shell interactions for Dirac operators, J. Math. Pures et Appl. 102.4 (2014), 617-639] for the realization of an electrostatic spherical shell interaction coincide. Finally, we explore the spectral relation between the shell interaction and its approximation by short range potentials with shrinking support, improving previous results in the spherical case.