Analysis of wave equations for spin-1 particles interacting with an electromagnetic field

Abstract

The Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation for relativistic spin-1 particles interacting with nonuniform electric and uniform magnetic fields is performed. The Hamilton operator in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation is determined. It agrees with the Lagrangian obtained by Pomeransky, Khriplovich, and Sen'kov. The classical and quantum formulae for the Hamiltonian agree. The validity of the Corben-Schwinger equations is confirmed. However, it is difficult to generalize these equations in order to take into account the quadrupole moment defined by a particle charge distribution. The known second-order wave equations are not quite satisfactory because they contain non-Hermitian terms. The Hermitian second-order wave equation is derived.

25 pages, corrected typos