2.1 Physics of Antimatter

With Paul Dirac’s formulation of the relativity equation (1) in section 2.5, it was deducted that two of the four matrices explained the electron’s spin [2].  However, the other two matrices explain the behavior of the antielectron such that the antielectron has an opposite charge and an opposite spin from the electron, but has the same mass as an electron [1].  The four matrices are shown below, from page 57 in Fraser’s book, Antimatter, the Ultimate Mirror,

where ‘i’ is the complex root and the representation of the antiparticles.  It is safe to assume, from the “coupling between quasi-discrete and continuum states is weak”, that the necessary calculations to compute the annihilation rate of the particles can be founded through Schrödinger wave mechanics [3].  The annihilation rate of particles allows for the computation of the energy that results from the collision of the particles.  In particular, the collision of an electron and a positron would yield about 3 X 10¹⁶ J/kg with reaction products of gamma rays whereas a collision between a proton and an antiproton would yield about 1.8 X 10¹⁶ J/kg with reaction products of pions and decay products of muons [3].  To clarify, pions are elementary particles composing of quarks bounded to antiquarks, constituting the force that binds the nucleus of the atom together a.k.a strong force [4].  In addition, muons are elementary particles that results when pions decay and it aids in the maintenance of the weak force, nuclear decay [5].  While the collision between an electron and a positron may provide more energy, the gamma rays produced from this reaction can not be used to produce thrust for it inefficiently converts annihilation energy into propellant [3].  The collision between the proton and the antiproton provides the ability to produce thrust and efficiently converts annihilation energy into propellant [3].     

Introduction | Physics of Antimatter | Applications of Antimatter