Dual Lorentz force for classical spin-orbit interaction?

In summary, the electric and magnetic parts of Maxwell's equations are kind of similar, so physical effects relating these properties have many 'dual' analogues - with exchanged places. The Aharonov-Bohm effect, the phase of charged particles depends on side of magnetic flux tube it comes through, while in its 'dual' analogue: Aharonov-Casher, the particle has magnetic moment and tube contains line of charge (it was used e.g. for neutron or fluxon interference). Another interesting 'dual' effect (hypothetical) can be found in magnetic monopole Wikipedia article - full expression for Lorenz force in such case would be: \mathbf{F}=q_e\
  • #1
jarekduda
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Electric and magnetic parts of Maxwell's equations are kind of similar, so physical effects relating these properties have many 'dual' analogues - with exchanged places.
For example in Aharonov-Bohm effect, the phase of charged particle depends on side of magnetic flux tube it comes through, while in its 'dual' analogue: Aharonov-Casher, the particle has magnetic moment and tube contains line of charge (it was used e.g. for neutron or fluxon interference).
Another interesting 'dual' effect (hypothetical) can be found in [URL='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_monopole']magnetic monopole Wikipedia article[/URL] - full expression for Lorenz force in such case would be: [tex]\mathbf{F}=q_e\left(\mathbf{E}+\frac{\mathbf{v}}{c}\times \mathbf{B}\right)+q_m\left(\mathbf{B}- \frac{\mathbf{v}}{c}\times \mathbf{E}\right)[/tex]
where q_m is magnetic charge - the last term corresponds to magnetic monopole - electric field interaction.

The question is if we should expect similar term for not only magnetic monopoles, but also for much more common: magnetic dipoles like electron or neutron ?
So imagine classical electron traveling in proton's electric field - let's change reference frame such that electron stops (for infinitesimal time) and proton is moving in also magnetic field created by quite large electron's magnetic moment - because of 3rd Newton's law, resulting Lorentz force should also work on electron ...
Here is Lagrangian for such electron's movement: [tex] \mathbf{L} = \frac{1}{2}m\mathbf{v}^2+\frac{Ze^2}{r}+\frac{Ze}{c}\left[ \mathbf{v}\cdot\left( \frac{\mu\times \mathbf{r}}{r^3}\right)\right] [/tex]
where the last term would correspond to such eventual magnetic moment-electric field interaction.
Derivation: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12405967/freefall.png

While this dual Lorentz force seems important: classical analogue of spin-orbit interaction, I couldn't find any serious materials about it - have you met it anywhere?
Where it might be important? Some experiments with electrons?
What other dual effects seem important ... forgotten?
 
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  • #3
Hi, I have just seen your response.
Like here, it seems as a completely forgotten topic. I have recently talked with electron experimentalist and he told that he was aware of this effect, but couldn't point any source.
Such force for magnetic dipole traveling in electric field could be an essential contribution in many experiments involving electrons, neutrons (... fluxons like in Aharonov-Cahser).

One place where it seems crucial is (semi-)classical treatment of atom - this correction would make Bohr circular trajectories unstable, it classically explains why electron cannot fall into nucleus: because such Lorentz force would bend the trajectory, preventing electron from collapse.
Here is my notebook for simulations of such single electron atoms: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12405967/freefall.nb

It is interesting that zero angular momentum free falling electron bends exactly 120deg (I can show derivation, doesn't depend on physical constants!) - such electron would travel between vertices of equilateral triangles.
Surprisingly, even having zero angular momentum, this system rotates - it is allowed for complex systems, like in the falling cat problem.
For nonzero angular momentum there can appear all kind of hedgehog-like trajectories, it is an interesting question to classify the closed ones (there is supposed to be also tetraedric 109deg trajectory).
There are also possible back-scattering electron trajectories - proton is in 0:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12405967/traj.png
If it is a realistic picture, imagine a proton approaching from the right side - electron's attraction electron screens the proton-proton repulsion, what could make fusion more probable (?)
 
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FAQ: Dual Lorentz force for classical spin-orbit interaction?

1. What is the Dual Lorentz force for classical spin-orbit interaction?

The Dual Lorentz force refers to the force experienced by a charged particle with a spin, moving in a magnetic field. It is an extension of the Lorentz force, which describes the force on a charged particle moving in an electric and magnetic field. The Dual Lorentz force takes into account the spin of the particle and is an important concept in understanding spin-orbit interaction.

2. How does the Dual Lorentz force affect the motion of a particle?

The Dual Lorentz force acts on the spin of a particle and causes it to precess, or rotate around the direction of motion. This precession can cause changes in the trajectory of the particle and can affect its spin orientation. It is a key factor in the classical description of spin-orbit coupling.

3. What is the significance of the Dual Lorentz force in spin-orbit coupling?

The Dual Lorentz force plays a crucial role in understanding spin-orbit coupling, which is the interaction between the spin and orbital motion of a particle. This force allows for the transfer of angular momentum between the spin and orbital degrees of freedom, leading to a variety of interesting phenomena in materials and particles.

4. How is the Dual Lorentz force different from the Lorentz force?

The Lorentz force only takes into account the electric and magnetic fields acting on a charged particle, while the Dual Lorentz force also considers the particle's spin. This makes the Dual Lorentz force more complex and allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the behavior of charged particles with spin.

5. How is the Dual Lorentz force related to quantum mechanics?

The Dual Lorentz force is a classical concept, but it has important implications in the realm of quantum mechanics. In quantum systems, the spin of a particle is quantized, and the Dual Lorentz force plays a role in determining the energy levels and transitions of these particles. It also provides a connection between classical and quantum descriptions of spin-orbit interaction.

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