Is Time Travel the Key to Understanding Dirac's Equation and Positron Creation?

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In summary, when Dirac solved his equation, he discovered negative energy levels and was unsure of their significance. Feynman later proposed that if an electron traveled backward in time, these negative levels would become positive and appear as a positron moving forward in time. This raises the question of whether this is simply a mathematical trick or a real phenomenon. Additionally, Feynman and Dirac once discussed their equations, with Dirac asking if Feynman had one as well. However, the idea of particles traveling back in time is not entirely accurate, as it is more of a convention and not actually distinguishable in the time evolution of particles.
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When Dirac solved his equation, he found out there are negative energy levels and he did not know how to make of it. Then Feynman figured out if electron travel backward in time, then those negative energy levels will become positive energy level, and it will show up as a positron travel forward in time. Is this just a math trick or is it real?

BTY, Feynman recalled the first time he met Dirac, Dirac asked him, "I have an equation, do you have one too?"
 
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Bose said:
When Dirac solved his equation, he found out there are negative energy levels and he did not know how to make of it. Then Feynman figured out if electron travel backward in time, then those negative energy levels will become positive energy level, and it will show up as a positron travel forward in time. Is this just a math trick or is it real?

BTY, Feynman recalled the first time he met Dirac, Dirac asked him, "I have an equation, do you have one too?"

Can we really interpret positron as electron travel backward in time?
Anti-particle as particle travel backward in time?
 
  • #3
The traveling back in time observation is purely conventional, because the time evolution always goes like E*t, so if you flip the sign on E or t it's not actually distinguishable. But then positrons don't travel back in time because of causality, so really what Feynman observed was more novelty than anything else.
 

FAQ: Is Time Travel the Key to Understanding Dirac's Equation and Positron Creation?

What is Dirac's equation?

Dirac's equation is a relativistic quantum mechanical equation that describes the behavior of fermions, particles with half-integer spin, such as electrons. It was developed by physicist Paul Dirac in 1928 and is considered a cornerstone of modern physics.

What is a positron?

A positron is the antiparticle of an electron, meaning it has the same mass as an electron but has a positive charge instead of a negative charge. It was first predicted by Dirac's equation and was later experimentally observed in 1932 by Carl Anderson.

How does Dirac's equation incorporate special relativity?

Dirac's equation incorporates special relativity by including the principles of Lorentz invariance and covariance. This means that the equation remains the same in all inertial reference frames and is independent of how an observer is moving.

What does Dirac's equation predict about the behavior of particles?

Dirac's equation predicts that particles, such as electrons and positrons, have both particle-like and wave-like properties. It also predicts the existence of antimatter and the phenomenon of spin, which is a fundamental property of particles.

How has Dirac's equation impacted modern physics?

Dirac's equation has had a profound impact on modern physics. It laid the foundation for quantum field theory and the Standard Model of particle physics, which are used to describe the behavior of subatomic particles. It also led to the discovery of new particles, such as the positron, and has played a crucial role in the development of technologies, such as transistors and lasers.

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