Non-Relativistic Limit of Klein-Gordon Probability Density

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In the lecture notes accompanying an introductory course in relativistic quantum mechanics, the Klein-Gordon probability density and current are defined as:
$$
begineqnarray
P & = & dfracihbar2mc^2left(Phi^*dfracpartialPhipartial t-PhidfracpartialPhi^*partial tright) \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Phi^*vecnablaPhi-PhivecnablaPhi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$

together with the statement that:




One can show that in the non-relativistic limit, the known expressions for the probability density and current are recovered.




The 'known' expressions are:
$$
begineqnarray
rho &=& Psi^*Psi \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$



When taking a 'non-relativistic limit', I am used to taking the limit $c to infty$, which does give the right result for $vecj$, but for the density produces $P=0$. How should one then take said limit to recover the non-relativistic equations?










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  • 1




    For a connection between Schr. eq. and Klein-Gordon eq, see e.g. A. Zee, QFT in a Nutshell, Chap. III.5, and this Phys.SE post plus links therein.
    – Qmechanic
    Dec 23 '18 at 21:39















2














In the lecture notes accompanying an introductory course in relativistic quantum mechanics, the Klein-Gordon probability density and current are defined as:
$$
begineqnarray
P & = & dfracihbar2mc^2left(Phi^*dfracpartialPhipartial t-PhidfracpartialPhi^*partial tright) \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Phi^*vecnablaPhi-PhivecnablaPhi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$

together with the statement that:




One can show that in the non-relativistic limit, the known expressions for the probability density and current are recovered.




The 'known' expressions are:
$$
begineqnarray
rho &=& Psi^*Psi \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$



When taking a 'non-relativistic limit', I am used to taking the limit $c to infty$, which does give the right result for $vecj$, but for the density produces $P=0$. How should one then take said limit to recover the non-relativistic equations?










share|cite|improve this question



















  • 1




    For a connection between Schr. eq. and Klein-Gordon eq, see e.g. A. Zee, QFT in a Nutshell, Chap. III.5, and this Phys.SE post plus links therein.
    – Qmechanic
    Dec 23 '18 at 21:39













2












2








2


1





In the lecture notes accompanying an introductory course in relativistic quantum mechanics, the Klein-Gordon probability density and current are defined as:
$$
begineqnarray
P & = & dfracihbar2mc^2left(Phi^*dfracpartialPhipartial t-PhidfracpartialPhi^*partial tright) \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Phi^*vecnablaPhi-PhivecnablaPhi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$

together with the statement that:




One can show that in the non-relativistic limit, the known expressions for the probability density and current are recovered.




The 'known' expressions are:
$$
begineqnarray
rho &=& Psi^*Psi \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$



When taking a 'non-relativistic limit', I am used to taking the limit $c to infty$, which does give the right result for $vecj$, but for the density produces $P=0$. How should one then take said limit to recover the non-relativistic equations?










share|cite|improve this question















In the lecture notes accompanying an introductory course in relativistic quantum mechanics, the Klein-Gordon probability density and current are defined as:
$$
begineqnarray
P & = & dfracihbar2mc^2left(Phi^*dfracpartialPhipartial t-PhidfracpartialPhi^*partial tright) \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Phi^*vecnablaPhi-PhivecnablaPhi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$

together with the statement that:




One can show that in the non-relativistic limit, the known expressions for the probability density and current are recovered.




The 'known' expressions are:
$$
begineqnarray
rho &=& Psi^*Psi \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$



When taking a 'non-relativistic limit', I am used to taking the limit $c to infty$, which does give the right result for $vecj$, but for the density produces $P=0$. How should one then take said limit to recover the non-relativistic equations?







quantum-mechanics wavefunction speed-of-light schroedinger-equation klein-gordon-equation






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edited Dec 23 '18 at 21:37









Qmechanic

101k121831153




101k121831153










asked Dec 23 '18 at 21:21









Simon

759313




759313







  • 1




    For a connection between Schr. eq. and Klein-Gordon eq, see e.g. A. Zee, QFT in a Nutshell, Chap. III.5, and this Phys.SE post plus links therein.
    – Qmechanic
    Dec 23 '18 at 21:39












  • 1




    For a connection between Schr. eq. and Klein-Gordon eq, see e.g. A. Zee, QFT in a Nutshell, Chap. III.5, and this Phys.SE post plus links therein.
    – Qmechanic
    Dec 23 '18 at 21:39







1




1




For a connection between Schr. eq. and Klein-Gordon eq, see e.g. A. Zee, QFT in a Nutshell, Chap. III.5, and this Phys.SE post plus links therein.
– Qmechanic
Dec 23 '18 at 21:39




For a connection between Schr. eq. and Klein-Gordon eq, see e.g. A. Zee, QFT in a Nutshell, Chap. III.5, and this Phys.SE post plus links therein.
– Qmechanic
Dec 23 '18 at 21:39










2 Answers
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The trick is to make the approach for the relativistic Klein-Gordon wave function
$$ Phi(vecr,t) = Psi(vecr,t) e^-fracimc^2thbar $$
(The physical reasoning behind this approach is:
The fast oscillating exponential is the solution for the particle at rest.
And compared to that, $Psi$ will give only slow variations.)



From that you find its derivatives
$$
begineqnarray
fracpartialPhipartial t &=& left( fracpartialPsipartial t - fracimc^2hbarPsi right) e^-fracimc^2thbar \
vecnablaPhi &=& vecnablaPsi e^-fracimc^2thbar
endeqnarray
$$



Plug these into the definitions of the Klein-Gordon probability density and current ($P$ and $vecj$) and you get
$$
begineqnarray
P &=& Psi^* Psi + fracihbar2mc^2 left( Psi^*fracpartialPsipartial t - Psi fracpartialPsi^*partial t right) \
vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
endeqnarray
$$



Now you can do the limit $c to infty$ and get the 'known' expressions of the non-relativistic Schrödinger probability density and current.






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    2














    You can substitute $Phi = e^-mc^2t/hbar Psi$ and then neglect the second order time derivative of $Psi$. Drop the constant $mc^2$ and you will have recovered the Schrödinger equation.






    share|cite|improve this answer




















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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

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      active

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      active

      oldest

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      2














      The trick is to make the approach for the relativistic Klein-Gordon wave function
      $$ Phi(vecr,t) = Psi(vecr,t) e^-fracimc^2thbar $$
      (The physical reasoning behind this approach is:
      The fast oscillating exponential is the solution for the particle at rest.
      And compared to that, $Psi$ will give only slow variations.)



      From that you find its derivatives
      $$
      begineqnarray
      fracpartialPhipartial t &=& left( fracpartialPsipartial t - fracimc^2hbarPsi right) e^-fracimc^2thbar \
      vecnablaPhi &=& vecnablaPsi e^-fracimc^2thbar
      endeqnarray
      $$



      Plug these into the definitions of the Klein-Gordon probability density and current ($P$ and $vecj$) and you get
      $$
      begineqnarray
      P &=& Psi^* Psi + fracihbar2mc^2 left( Psi^*fracpartialPsipartial t - Psi fracpartialPsi^*partial t right) \
      vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
      endeqnarray
      $$



      Now you can do the limit $c to infty$ and get the 'known' expressions of the non-relativistic Schrödinger probability density and current.






      share|cite|improve this answer



























        2














        The trick is to make the approach for the relativistic Klein-Gordon wave function
        $$ Phi(vecr,t) = Psi(vecr,t) e^-fracimc^2thbar $$
        (The physical reasoning behind this approach is:
        The fast oscillating exponential is the solution for the particle at rest.
        And compared to that, $Psi$ will give only slow variations.)



        From that you find its derivatives
        $$
        begineqnarray
        fracpartialPhipartial t &=& left( fracpartialPsipartial t - fracimc^2hbarPsi right) e^-fracimc^2thbar \
        vecnablaPhi &=& vecnablaPsi e^-fracimc^2thbar
        endeqnarray
        $$



        Plug these into the definitions of the Klein-Gordon probability density and current ($P$ and $vecj$) and you get
        $$
        begineqnarray
        P &=& Psi^* Psi + fracihbar2mc^2 left( Psi^*fracpartialPsipartial t - Psi fracpartialPsi^*partial t right) \
        vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
        endeqnarray
        $$



        Now you can do the limit $c to infty$ and get the 'known' expressions of the non-relativistic Schrödinger probability density and current.






        share|cite|improve this answer

























          2












          2








          2






          The trick is to make the approach for the relativistic Klein-Gordon wave function
          $$ Phi(vecr,t) = Psi(vecr,t) e^-fracimc^2thbar $$
          (The physical reasoning behind this approach is:
          The fast oscillating exponential is the solution for the particle at rest.
          And compared to that, $Psi$ will give only slow variations.)



          From that you find its derivatives
          $$
          begineqnarray
          fracpartialPhipartial t &=& left( fracpartialPsipartial t - fracimc^2hbarPsi right) e^-fracimc^2thbar \
          vecnablaPhi &=& vecnablaPsi e^-fracimc^2thbar
          endeqnarray
          $$



          Plug these into the definitions of the Klein-Gordon probability density and current ($P$ and $vecj$) and you get
          $$
          begineqnarray
          P &=& Psi^* Psi + fracihbar2mc^2 left( Psi^*fracpartialPsipartial t - Psi fracpartialPsi^*partial t right) \
          vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
          endeqnarray
          $$



          Now you can do the limit $c to infty$ and get the 'known' expressions of the non-relativistic Schrödinger probability density and current.






          share|cite|improve this answer














          The trick is to make the approach for the relativistic Klein-Gordon wave function
          $$ Phi(vecr,t) = Psi(vecr,t) e^-fracimc^2thbar $$
          (The physical reasoning behind this approach is:
          The fast oscillating exponential is the solution for the particle at rest.
          And compared to that, $Psi$ will give only slow variations.)



          From that you find its derivatives
          $$
          begineqnarray
          fracpartialPhipartial t &=& left( fracpartialPsipartial t - fracimc^2hbarPsi right) e^-fracimc^2thbar \
          vecnablaPhi &=& vecnablaPsi e^-fracimc^2thbar
          endeqnarray
          $$



          Plug these into the definitions of the Klein-Gordon probability density and current ($P$ and $vecj$) and you get
          $$
          begineqnarray
          P &=& Psi^* Psi + fracihbar2mc^2 left( Psi^*fracpartialPsipartial t - Psi fracpartialPsi^*partial t right) \
          vecj &=& dfrachbar2mileft(Psi^*vecnablaPsi-PsivecnablaPsi^*right)
          endeqnarray
          $$



          Now you can do the limit $c to infty$ and get the 'known' expressions of the non-relativistic Schrödinger probability density and current.







          share|cite|improve this answer














          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer








          edited Dec 24 '18 at 2:37

























          answered Dec 24 '18 at 0:54









          Thomas Fritsch

          21729




          21729





















              2














              You can substitute $Phi = e^-mc^2t/hbar Psi$ and then neglect the second order time derivative of $Psi$. Drop the constant $mc^2$ and you will have recovered the Schrödinger equation.






              share|cite|improve this answer

























                2














                You can substitute $Phi = e^-mc^2t/hbar Psi$ and then neglect the second order time derivative of $Psi$. Drop the constant $mc^2$ and you will have recovered the Schrödinger equation.






                share|cite|improve this answer























                  2












                  2








                  2






                  You can substitute $Phi = e^-mc^2t/hbar Psi$ and then neglect the second order time derivative of $Psi$. Drop the constant $mc^2$ and you will have recovered the Schrödinger equation.






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  You can substitute $Phi = e^-mc^2t/hbar Psi$ and then neglect the second order time derivative of $Psi$. Drop the constant $mc^2$ and you will have recovered the Schrödinger equation.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Dec 24 '18 at 0:32









                  my2cts

                  4,6102617




                  4,6102617



























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