Relativistic quantum dynamics of twisted electron beams in arbitrary electric and magnetic fields

Abstract

General relativistic quantum dynamics of twisted (vortex) Dirac particles is constructed. The Hamiltonian and equations of motion in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation are derived for a twisted relativistic electron in arbitrary electric and magnetic fields. A critical experiment for a verification of the results is proposed. The new important effect of a radiative orbital polarization of a twisted electron beam in a magnetic field resulting in a nonzero average projection of the intrinsic orbital angular momentum on the field direction is predicted.

18 pages, with supplemental material