# Putting Positrons into Classical Dirac Field Theory

## TL;DR

The paper proposes revising the classical Dirac field theory before quantization to incorporate positrons and eliminate negative energies, simplifying the transition to quantum theory and enhancing understanding of electron spin.

## Contribution

It introduces a modified classical Dirac field theory that includes positrons and removes negative energies, streamlining quantization and aligning the physics more closely with electromagnetic theory.

## Key findings

- Quantization becomes straightforward with the revised classical theory.
- The approach clarifies the physics of electron spin.
- The modifications improve the conceptual understanding of the Dirac field.

## Abstract

One way of arriving at a quantum field theory of electrons and positrons is to take a classical theory of the Dirac field and then quantize. Starting with the standard classical field theory and quantizing in the most straightforward way yields an inadequate quantum field theory. It is possible to fix this theory by making some modifications (such as redefining the operators for energy and charge). Here I argue that we ought to make these modifications earlier, revising the classical Dirac field theory that serves as the starting point for quantization (putting positrons into that theory and removing negative energies). Then, quantization becomes straightforward. Also, the physics of the Dirac field is made more similar to the physics of the electromagnetic field and we are able to better understand electron spin.