Relativistic kinetic theory for spin-1/2 particles: Conservation laws, thermodynamics, and linear waves

Abstract

We study a recently derived fully relativistic kinetic model for spin-1/2 particles. Firstly, the full set of conservation laws for energy, momentum and angular momentum are given, together with an expression for the (non-symmetric) stress-energy tensor. Next, the thermodynamic equilibrium distribution is given in different limiting cases. Furthermore, we address the analytical complexity that arises when the spin- and momentum eigenfunctions are coupled in linear theory, by calculating the linear dispersion relation for such a case. Finally, we discuss the model and give some context by comparing with potentially relevant phenomena that are not included, such as radiation reaction and vacuum polarization.