Constructing Dirac and Majorana Mass Terms for a Lagrangian: Spinor Metrics and Lorentz Invariance

Associate Professor Kory Stiffler

It is possible to write a Majorana mass term in a Lagrangian for a Dirac spinor. Explicit construction of Dirac mass and Majorana mass terms involves the use of two distinct spinor metrics: one for the Dirac mass and another for the Majorana mass. The metric for the Majorana mass is proportional to the charge conjugation matrix whereas the metric for the Dirac mass is proportional to gamma zero. We will use Lorentz invariance of the Dirac and Majorana mass terms to prove the defining properties of these metrics and comment on their physical significance.

To participate in this event virtually via Zoom, go to https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/99570315915.