RELATIVISTIC CENTER-OF-MASS VARIABLES FOR 2-PARTICLE SYSTEMS WITH SPIN

The definition of the total momentum, position, and spin for Galilean- or Lorentz-invariant two-free-particle systems is discussed by using the requirement that the generators of the respective invariance groups should have the same form expressed in terms of them as for a single particle. Internal c.m. dynamical variables are introduced by applying the singular transformation due to Gartenhaus and Schwartz on the basic single-particle dynamical variables, the transformation mapping the whole Hilbert space onto the c.m. subspace spanned by states of zero total momentum. The form of the internal c.m. position operator is given for particles with spin, for what appears to be the first time. Using these dynamical variables, it is shown how an interaction can be introduced while maintaining Galilean or Lorentz invariance and satisfying the asymptotic condition of freely propagating particles for large separations. © 1968 The American Physical Society.