Lorentz-Covariant Spin Operator for Spin 1/2 Massive Fields As a Physical Observable

Abstract

We derive a relativistic-covariant spin operator for massive case directly from space-time symmetry in Minkowski space-time and investigate the physical properties of a derived spin operator. In the derivation we require only two conditions: First, a spin operator should be the generator of the SU(2) little group of the Poincare group. Second, a spin operator should covariantly transform under the Lorentz transformation. A space inversion transformation is shown to play a role to derive a unique relativistic-covariant spin operator, we call the field spin operator, whose eigenvalue labels the spin of a massive (classical) field that provides the irreducible representation space of the Poincare group. The field spin becomes the covariant spin in the covariant Dirac representation, which is shown to be the only spin that describes the Wigner rotation properly in the covariant Dirac representation. Surprisingly, the field spin also gives the non-covariant spin, which is the FW spin for the positive energy state. We also show that the field spin operator is the unique spin operator that generate the (internal) SU(2) little group transformation of the Poincare group properly.