On the theory of particles of arbitrary spin

Abstract

In this chapter we give an historical outline of the main theoretical developments there have been in the formulation and interpretation of relativistic equations describing the behaviour of fundamental particles. Special attention is paid to the Dirac equation as it is the pattern on which the present particle equations are based.

An introduction to this subject tracing in more detail the interconnection of the theoretical developments with experimental discoveries will be found in Bhabha (44), while a comprehensive mathematical review dealing with particles of spin 0, 1/2 and 1 is given in Pauli (41).

Units. Unless otherwise stated we shall always use atomic units with h = c = 1, where h is Planck's constant divided by 2pi and c is the velocity of light.

Notation. The general Bhabha matrices applicable to a particle of any spin will be denoted by alpha, while gamma will denote the Dirac matrices and beta the Kemmer matrices.

References. These are listed alphabetically at the end of the thesis (p. 121), the two figures after a name in the text referring to the year the paper or book was published.