Question

Working in the Dirac-Pauli representation of $\gamma$-matrices, (5.51), show that at high energies $$ \gamma^5 u^{(s)}=\left(\begin{array}{cc} \boldsymbol{\sigma} \cdot \hat{\mathbf{p}} & 0 \\ 0 & \boldsymbol{\sigma} \cdot \hat{\mathbf{p}} \end{array}\right) u^{(s)}, $$ where $u^{(s)}$ is the electron spinor of (5.27). That is, show that in the extreme relativistic limit, the chirality operator $\left(\gamma^5\right)$ is equal to the helicity operator; and so, for example, $\frac{1}{2}\left(1-\gamma^5\right) u=u_L$ corresponds to an electron of negative helicity. Of course, the fact that $\frac{1}{2}\left(1-\gamma^5\right)$ projects out negative helicity fermions at high energies does not depend on the choice of representation. We need only choose a representation if we wish to show explicit spinors. The particular advantage of the Dirac-Pauli representation is that it diagonalizes the energy in the nonrelativistic limit $\left(\gamma^0\right.$ is diagonal), whereas the Weyl representation diagonalizes the helicity in the extreme relativistic limit ( $\gamma^5$ is diagonal).

   Working in the Dirac-Pauli representation of $\gamma$-matrices, (5.51), show that at high energies
$$
\gamma^5 u^{(s)}=\left(\begin{array}{cc}
\boldsymbol{\sigma} \cdot \hat{\mathbf{p}} & 0 \\
0 & \boldsymbol{\sigma} \cdot \hat{\mathbf{p}}
\end{array}\right) u^{(s)},
$$
where $u^{(s)}$ is the electron spinor of (5.27). That is, show that in the extreme relativistic limit, the chirality operator $\left(\gamma^5\right)$ is equal to the helicity operator; and so, for example, $\frac{1}{2}\left(1-\gamma^5\right) u=u_L$ corresponds to an electron of negative helicity.

Of course, the fact that $\frac{1}{2}\left(1-\gamma^5\right)$ projects out negative helicity fermions at high energies does not depend on the choice of representation. We need only choose a representation if we wish to show explicit spinors. The particular advantage of the Dirac-Pauli representation is that it diagonalizes the energy in the nonrelativistic limit $\left(\gamma^0\right.$ is diagonal), whereas the Weyl representation diagonalizes the helicity in the extreme relativistic limit ( $\gamma^5$ is diagonal).
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Quarks and leptons: introductory course in modern particle physics
Quarks and leptons: introductory course in modern particle physics
Francis Halzen, Alan… 1st Edition
Chapter 5, Problem 15 ↓

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The $\gamma^5$ matrix, defined as $\gamma^5 = i \gamma^0 \gamma^1 \gamma^2 \gamma^3$, in this representation is: $$ \gamma^5 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & I \\ I & 0 \end{pmatrix}. $$  Show more…

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Working in the Dirac-Pauli representation of $\gamma$-matrices, (5.51), show that at high energies $$ \gamma^5 u^{(s)}=\left(\begin{array}{cc} \boldsymbol{\sigma} \cdot \hat{\mathbf{p}} & 0 \\ 0 & \boldsymbol{\sigma} \cdot \hat{\mathbf{p}} \end{array}\right) u^{(s)}, $$ where $u^{(s)}$ is the electron spinor of (5.27). That is, show that in the extreme relativistic limit, the chirality operator $\left(\gamma^5\right)$ is equal to the helicity operator; and so, for example, $\frac{1}{2}\left(1-\gamma^5\right) u=u_L$ corresponds to an electron of negative helicity. Of course, the fact that $\frac{1}{2}\left(1-\gamma^5\right)$ projects out negative helicity fermions at high energies does not depend on the choice of representation. We need only choose a representation if we wish to show explicit spinors. The particular advantage of the Dirac-Pauli representation is that it diagonalizes the energy in the nonrelativistic limit $\left(\gamma^0\right.$ is diagonal), whereas the Weyl representation diagonalizes the helicity in the extreme relativistic limit ( $\gamma^5$ is diagonal).
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Key Concepts

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Dirac-Pauli Representation
This representation of the gamma matrices is characterized by a diagonal gamma^0 matrix, making it particularly convenient for analyzing systems in the nonrelativistic limit. However, while it simplifies the treatment of positive and negative energy solutions at low energies, it does not diagonalize the helicity (or chirality) operator, which becomes relevant in the high-energy regime.
Chirality Operator
The chirality operator, ?^5, is defined as i?^0?^1?^2?^3 and is used to determine the handedness of fermionic particles. In the context of high-energy physics, especially in the extreme relativistic limit where mass effects are negligible, chirality becomes a crucial concept because its eigenstates correspond to definite handedness. In the Weyl representation, this operator is diagonal, directly associating states with left- or right-handed chirality.
Helicity Operator
The helicity operator measures the component of a particle’s spin along the direction of its momentum, and it defines whether the spin is aligned or anti-aligned with the momentum. In the extreme relativistic limit, for nearly massless particles, the helicity eigenstates coincide with the chirality eigenstates. This identification is critical in high-energy particle physics, where interactions can depend on helicity.
Extreme Relativistic Limit
In this limit, the particle’s momentum is so high compared to its mass that the effects of the mass become negligible. Under these circumstances, the behavior of the particle is dominated by its momentum, and operators like ?^5 (chirality) effectively act as the helicity operator. This equivalence simplifies the analysis of fermionic processes at high energies, making the nature of weak interactions and projection onto definite helicity states more transparent.
Projection Operators
Projection operators such as (1/2)(1 ± ?^5) are used to isolate components of a fermion field with a specific chirality (and hence helicity at high energies). These operators project out the left-handed (negative helicity) or right-handed (positive helicity) parts of the spinor, which is essential for correctly describing the dynamics and interactions of fermions, particularly in the context of weak interactions in the Standard Model.

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