Nonrelativistic Wave Equations with Gauge Fields

Abstract

We illustrate a metric formulation of Galilean invariance by constructing wave equations with gauge fields. It consists of expressing nonrelativistic equations in a covariant form, but with a five-dimensional Riemannian manifold. First we use the tensorial expressions of electromagnetism to obtain the two Galilean limits of electromagnetism found previously by Le Bellac and Lévy-Leblond. Then we examine the nonrelativistic version of the linear Dirac wave equation. With an Abelian gauge field we find, in a weak field approximation, the Pauli equation as well as the spin—orbit interaction and a part reminiscent of the Darwin term. We also propose a generalized model involving the interaction of the Dirac field with a non-Abelian gauge field; the SU(2) Hamiltonian is given as an example.