Thomas precession (source code)

= Thomas precession
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<Thomas precession> is the kinematic rotation arising when the successive instantaneous rest frames of an accelerated particle are connected by noncollinear <Lorentz boosts>. Its contribution is needed in deriving the leading atomic <spin-orbit coupling>: for an electron in central potential energy $U(r)$, the corrected term is $H_{\rm so}=[2m_e^2c^2r]^{-1}(dU/dr)\mathbf L\cdot\mathbf S$. A rest-field argument alone gives twice this coefficient.<Topics in Quantum Mechanics by David Tong>[§3.1.3, printed pp. 71–75, especially the correction from the accelerated electron frame]{ref}