Relativistic Wave Equations and Hydrogenic Atoms

TL;DR

This paper compares transition probabilities of hydrogenic atoms across nonrelativistic, Dirac, and eight-component relativistic theories, highlighting significant differences at high atomic numbers.

Contribution

It introduces and compares transition probability calculations using three different theoretical frameworks, including a recently developed eight-component formalism.

Findings

Significant differences in results for large atomic number Z

The eight-component formalism provides distinct predictions from traditional theories

Relativistic effects become prominent at high Z

Abstract

The transition probabilities for the components of both the Balmer and Lyman $\alpha$-lines of hydrogenic atoms are calculated for the nonrelativistic Schrodinger theory, the Dirac theory and the recently developed eight-component formalism. For large $Z$ it is found that all three theories give significantly different results.