We compare the time evolution of the quantum-mechanical spatial probability density obtained by solving the time-dependent Dirac equation with its classical counterpart obtained from the relativistic Liouville equation for the phase-space density in a regime in which the dynamics is essentially relativistic. For a resonantly driven one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, the simplest nontrivial model system to perform this comparison, we find that, despite the nonlinearity induced by relativity, the classical ensemble description matches the quantum evolution remarkably well.

We present computer movies of the classical and quantum mechanical time evolution for an atom in a strong static magnetic field and a laser field. The resonantly induced relativistic motion of the atomic electron leads to a ring-like spatial probability density called a cycloatom. We further demonstrate that spin-orbit coupling for a fast moving electron in a cycloatom becomes significant, modifying the time-dependence of the spin even if initially aligned parallel to the static magnetic field direction. We also present several movies on time-evolution of the spin-distribution as a function of the position for a relativistic quantum state. The nature of such a space resolved spin measurement is analyzed.

No abstract