Hamiltonian equations quantum electrodynamics theory

It now remains to expand the operators in (3.235) using the definitions given in (3.230) but before we do so we must draw attention to a difficulty with (3.235). The final term, containing the operator (00)2 is not obtained if a more sophisticated treatment starting from the Bethe Salpeter equation is used. The reader will recall our earlier comment that the interaction term in the Breit Hamiltonian is acceptable provided it is treated by first-order perturbation theory. Rather than launch into quantum electrodynamics at this stage, we shall proceed to develop (3.235) but will omit the (00)2 term without further comment. 

Therefore, we may here start from the Breit interaction to derive the pseudo-relativistic Hamiltonians instead of following the somewhat meandering historical path from 1926 to about 1932, which was mainly based on classical considerations. As usual, a quantum-electrodynamical derivation is also possible and has been presented by Itoh [678], but the sound basis of our semi-classical theory, which we pursue throughout this book, is necessarily the Breit equation. Needless to say, the rigorous transformation approach to the Dirac-Coulomb-Breit Hamiltonian yields results identical to those from the QED-based derivation. 

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