Consequences of Dirac Theory of the Positron

TL;DR

This paper explores how Dirac's theory predicts that vacuum electromagnetic fields can generate particle-antiparticle pairs, leading to modifications in Maxwell's equations under specific conditions.

Contribution

It calculates the changes in Maxwell's equations caused by vacuum pair creation according to Dirac's theory, in the absence of real particles and with small field variations.

Findings

Electromagnetic fields can induce pair creation in vacuum.

Modifications to Maxwell's equations are derived for specific conditions.

Results are applicable to fields varying over a Compton wavelength.

Abstract

According to Dirac's theory of the positron, an electromagnetic field tends to create pairs of particles which leads to a change of Maxwell's equations in the vacuum. These changes are calculated in the special case that no real electrons or positrons are present and the field varies little over a Compton wavelength.