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On stress-energy tensors

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Abstract

We show how to introduce the “Noether Operator” of a (possibly constrained) variational principle even when the Lagrangian contains spinor fields (and their derivatives to any finite order). After relating that operator to the so-called “canonical” and “symmetric” stress-energy tensors, we construct explicitly the divergence by which these differ. A brief appendix illustrates the method of dealing with spinors by calculating Tμv for the Dirac equation.

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Sorkin, R. On stress-energy tensors. Gen Relat Gravit 8, 437–449 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00765935

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00765935

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