Real spectra for the non-Hermitian Dirac equation in 1+1 dimensions with the most general coupling

The most general combination of couplings of fermions with external potentials in 1 + 1 dimensions, must include vector, scalar and pseudoscalar potentials. We consider such a mixing of potentials in a PT-symmetric time-independent Dirac equation. The Dirac equation is mapped into an effective PT-symmetric Schrodinger equation. Despite the non-hermiticity of the effective potential, we find real energies for the fermion. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP