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In Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$ we have sketched the solutions for the Dirac equation for a free particle. It has a positive energy spectrum starting at $$m c^2$$ (you cannot have a particle at lower energy), but also a negative energy spectrum below $$-mc^2$$. The interpretation of the positive energy states is natural – each state describes a particle moving at an energy above $$mc^2$$. Since we cannot have negative energy states, their interpretation must be very different. The solution is simple: We assume that in an empty vacuum all negative energy states are filled (the “Dirac sea”). Excitations relative to the vacuum can now be obtained by adding particles at positive energies, or creating holes at negative energies. Creating a hole takes energy, so the hole states appear at positive energies. They do have opposite charge to the particle states, and thus would correspond to positrons! This shows a great similarity to the behaviour of semiconductors, as you may well know. The situation is explained in Figure $$\PageIndex{2}$$.