The Thomas Precession Factor in Spin-Orbit Interaction
Physics Education
2009-11-10 v1
Abstract
The origin of the Thomas factor 1/2 in the spin-orbit hamiltonian can be understood by considering the case of a classical electron moving in crossed electric and magnetic fields chosen such that the electric Coulomb force is balanced by the magnetic Lorentz force.
Cite
@article{arxiv.physics/0310016,
title = {The Thomas Precession Factor in Spin-Orbit Interaction},
author = {Herbert Kroemer},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0310016},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
PDF File, 5 pages, to appear in American Journal of Physics