Dirac, Majorana, and Weyl fermions
Abstract
We discuss the Dirac, Majorana, and Weyl fermion fields. The definitions and motivations for introducing each kind of field is discussed, along with the connections between them. It is pointed out that these definitions have to do with the proper Lorentz group and not with any discrete symmetry. The action of discrete symmetries, such as charge conjugation and CP on various types of fermion fields, which are particularly important for Majorana fermions, is also clarified.
- Publication:
-
American Journal of Physics
- Pub Date:
- May 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1119/1.3549729
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1006.1718
- Bibcode:
- 2011AmJPh..79..485P
- Keywords:
-
- Dirac equation;
- fermion systems;
- 10.00.00;
- THE PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS;
- High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;
- High Energy Physics - Theory
- E-Print:
- 32 pages, LaTeX, no figure. A new section added on the 2-component formalism, and the section on "Feynman rules" has been expanded. The changes in the other section are minor