1996/06/14 by L. P. Horwitz, Lawrence P. Horwitz, Horwitz, Lawrence P. · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #High Energy Physics - Phenomenology (hep-ph) #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #hep-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.hep-ph/9606330
Plain TeX, 17 pages.(To be presented at the conference on Physical Interpretations of Relativity Theory, Imperial College, 6-9 September, 1996.)
arxiv created 1996/06/14 · openalex publication_date 1996/06/14 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A consistent classical and quantum relativistic mechanics can be constructed if Einstein's covariant time is considered as a dynamical variable. The evolution of a system is then parametrized by a universal invariant identified with Newton's time. This theory, originating in the work of Stueckelberg in 1941, contains many questions of interpretation, reaching deeply into the notions of time, localizability, and causality. Some of the basic ideas are discussed here, and as an example, the solution of the two body problem with invariant action-at-a-distance potential is given. A proper generalization of the Maxwell theory of electromagnetic interaction, implied by the Stueckelberg-Schrödinger dynamical evolution equation and its physical implications are also discussed. It is also shown that a similar construction occurs, applying similar ideas, in the theory of gravitation.