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arXiv · 1908.05131

Short-scale quantum kinetic theory including spin-orbit interactions

Robin Ekman·Haidar Al-Naseri·Jens Zamanian·Gert Brodin
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Abstract

We present a quantum kinetic theory for spin-$1/2$ particles, including the spin-orbit interaction, retaining particle dispersive effects to all orders in $\hbar$, based on a gauge-invariant Wigner transformation. Compared to previous works, the spin-orbit interaction leads to a new term in the kinetic equation, containing both the electric and magnetic fields. Like other models with spin-orbit interactions, our model features "hidden momentum". As an example application, we calculate the dispersion relation for linear electrostatic waves in a magnetized plasma, and electromagnetic waves in a unmagnetized plasma. In the former case, we compare the Landau damping due to spin-orbit interactions to that due to the free current. We also discuss our model in relation to previously published works.

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Robin Ekman, Haidar Al-Naseri, Jens Zamanian, Gert Brodin. 2019-08-14. Short-scale quantum kinetic theory including spin-orbit interactions. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd%2Fs10053-020-00021-3

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