Relativistic Generalization and Extension to the Non-Abelian Gauge Theory of Feynman's Proof of the Maxwell Equations

Abstract

R.P. Feynman showed F.J. Dyson a proof of the Lorentz force law and the homogeneous Maxwell equations, which he obtained starting from Newton's law of motion and the commutation relations between position and velocity for a single nonrelativistic particle. We formulate both a special relativistic and a general relativistic versions of Feynman's derivation. Especially in the general relativistic version we prove that the only possible fields that can consistently act on a quantum mechanical particle are scalar, gauge and gravitational fields. We also extend Feynman's scheme to the case of non-Abelian gauge theory in the special relativistic context.