Spinor-Like Hamiltonian for Maxwellian Optics

Abstract

Background. Spinors are more special objects than tensors. Therefore spinors possess more properties than the more generic objects such as tensors. The group of Lorentz two-spinors is the covering group of the Lorentz group. Purpose. Since the Lorentz group is the symmetry group of Maxwell equations, it is reasonable to use Lorentz two-spinors and not tensors when writing the Maxwell equations. Method. We write the Maxwell equations using Lorentz two-spinors. Also a convenient representation of Lorentz two-spinors in terms of the Riemann-Silberstein complex vectors is used. Results. In the spinor formalism (in the representation of the Lorentz spinors and Riemann-Silberstein vectors) we have constructed the Hamiltonian of Maxwellian optics. With the use of spinors, the Maxwell equations take a form similar to the Dirac equation. Conclusions. For Maxwell equations in the Dirac-like form we can expand research methods by means of quantum field theory. In this form, the connection between the Hamiltonians of geometric, beam and Maxwellian optics is clearly visible.