Zitterbewegung of neutral relativistic particles in static longitudinal fields

TL;DR

This paper investigates the Zitterbewegung phenomenon in neutral relativistic particles under static fields, revealing complex beating patterns, forbidden frequencies, and modifications due to spin degeneracy lifting.

Contribution

It introduces new insights into how static fields influence Zitterbewegung, including the prediction of forbidden frequencies and the effects of lifted spin degeneracy.

Findings

Spin Zitterbewegung causes beating patterns when combined with Larmor precession.

A forbidden frequency of spin precession is predicted.

Position and velocity Zitterbewegung are modified by lifted spin degeneracy, showing multiple frequencies.

Abstract

Zitterbewegung of neutral relativistic particles propagating along a constant magnetic and/or electric field is studied. It is shown that spin Zitterbewegung, when superimposed on the Larmor precession frequency, leads to a beating pattern. The existence of a forbidden frequency of spin precession is predicted. Modifications of position and velocity Zitterbewegung due to lifted spin degeneracy manifested in the appearance of longitudinal and transversal Zitterbewegung, each with two Zitterbewegung frequencies and resulting beating patterns, are reported.