An Introduction to Relativistic Quantum Mechanics. I. From Relativity to Dirac Equation

TL;DR

This paper introduces the derivation of the Dirac equation by combining principles of special relativity and quantum mechanics, using elementary concepts of spin and linear algebra.

Contribution

It presents a straightforward derivation of the Dirac equation employing basic quantum mechanics and relativity concepts, making the topic accessible.

Findings

Derivation of the Dirac equation from relativity and quantum principles

Analysis of the Dirac equation using elementary spin and rotation concepts

Clarification of the foundational aspects of relativistic quantum mechanics

Abstract

By using the general concepts of special relativity and the requirements of quantum mechanics, Dirac equation is derived and studied. Only elementary knowledge of spin and rotations in quantum mechanics and standard handlings of linear algebra are employed for the development of the present work.