A Dirac field theory invariant under , has a conserved global charge, subject to the quantum theory preserving the symmetry. In particle language this charge counts particles minus antiparticles. When the S-matrix commutes with it, a scattering amplitude between states of different charge vanishes. A neutral scalar and a Yukawa interaction preserve the charge, so a process with one incoming Dirac particle and only one outgoing Dirac antiparticle plus neutral particles is forbidden. This net charge is distinct from a sum of positive occupation numbers for all particle and antiparticle modes.
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