Noncausal effects in relativistic wave equations

Abstract

Manifestly covariant wave equations describing particles with a unique mass and spin can, for certain types of external-field interactions, possess noncausal solutions. The paper reports a procedure for applying Pierce decomposition of all six couplings expressed in the Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau spin-0 formula. This treatment converts the equation to a form in which the causal properties are apparent. The conditions under which the causal properties of higher-spin equations can be made manifest are discussed.