Dirac operator on the Riemann sphere

Abstract

We solve for spectrum, obtain explicitly and study group properties of eigenfunctions of Dirac operator on the Riemann sphere $S^2$. The eigenvalues $\lambda$ are nonzero integers. The eigenfunctions are two-component spinors that belong to representations of SU(2)-group with half-integer angular momenta $l = |\lambda| - \half$. They form on the sphere a complete orthonormal functional set alternative to conventional spherical spinors. The difference and relationship between the spherical spinors in question and the standard ones are explained.