Operators on Di Erential Forms Abstract Index Notation Leibniz Commuting Inner Products

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Operators on Di Erential Forms Abstract Index Notation Leibniz Commuting Inner Products Differential forms Abstract index notation Coee & Chalk Press (p + q)! Ivica Smolić cbnd (α ^ β)a :::a b :::b = α β 1 p 1 q p!q! [a1:::ap b1:::bq ] 1 (?!) = ! a1:::ap ap+1:::am p! a1:::ap ap+1:::am M is a smooth m-manifold with a metric gab which has s negative b eigenvalues. Metric determinant is denoted by g = det(gµν ). (iX !)a1:::ap−1 = X !ba1:::ap−1 · Base of p-forms via wedge product, (d!)a1:::ap+1 = (p + 1)r[a1 !a2:::ap+1] b µ µ X µ µ (δ!)a :::a = r !ba :::a dx 1 ^ ::: ^ dx p = sgn(π) dx π(1) ⊗ · · · ⊗ dx π(p) 1 p−1 1 p−1 π2Sp p(m−p)+s 2 2 2 Thm. ?? = (−1) ; iX = d = δ = 0 · General p-form ! 2 Ωp, Thm. £X (f) = δ(fX) 1 µ1 µp ! = !µ ...µ dx ^ ::: ^ dx a a p! 1 p Thm. δ(fα) = iX α + fδα with X = r f · Unless otherwise stated, we assume: Thm. iX d?α = ?(X ^ δα) f 2 Ω0 ; α; ! 2 Ωp ; β 2 Ωq ; γ 2 Ωp−1 ; X; Y 2 TM Leibniz p · Generalized Kronecker delta iX (α ^ β) = (iX α) ^ β + (−1) α ^ (iX β) p δa1···an := n! δ [a1 δ a2 ··· δ an] d(α ^ β) = (dα) ^ β + (−1) α ^ (dβ) b1··· bn b1 b2 bn £X (α ^ β) = (£X α) ^ β + α ^ (£X β) 1 2 n 1 n µ1···µn det(A) := n! A [1A 2 ··· A n] = A µ1 ··· A µn δ1 ··· n 1 2 n 1 ··· n n! A [µ1 A µ2 ··· A µn] = det(A) δµ1··· µn ! a ···a a ···a m − n + k a ···a Commuting δ 1 k k+1 n = k! δ k+1 n a1···akbk+1··· bn k bk+1··· bn α ^ β = (−1)pqβ ^ α m p 1 m m(p+1)+s · Volume form 2 Ω , := jgj dx ^ ::: ^ dx iX ?α = ?(α ^ X) ; iX α = (−1) ?(X ^ ?α) s p 1··· m µ1···µm (−1) µ1···µm µ ···µ = jgj δµ ···µ ; = δ 1 m 1 m pjgj 1 ··· m [£X ; £Y ] = £[X;Y ] ; [£X ; iY ] = i[X;Y ] ; [£X ; d] = 0 a1···akak+1···am s ak+1···am a ···a b ···b = (−1) k! δ 1 k k+1 m bk+1···bm £X ?α − ? £X α = (δX) ?α + ?αb with α := p( gbc)g α ba1:::ap £X b[a1 jcja2:::ap] Operators on dierential forms d ? = (−1)p+1 ? δ ; δ ? = (−1)p ? d p p−1 ?∆ = ∆?; d∆ = ∆d ; δ∆ = ∆δ · Contraction with vector iX :Ω ! Ω iX f = 0 ; (iX !)(X1;:::;Xp−1) = !(X; X1;:::;Xp−1) Inner products · Hodge dual ? :Ωp ! Ωm−p 1 a1:::ap !µ ...µ (α j !) := αa1:::ap ! ?! = 1 p µ1...µp dxµp+1 ^ ::: ^ dxµm p! p!(m − p)! µp+1...µm Normalization of the volume form, ( j ) = (−1)s. s ?1 = ;? = (−1) ; iX = ?X Thm. (α j !) = α ^ ?! = ! ^ ?α = (−1)s (?α j ?!) · Exterior derivative d : Ωp ! Ωp+1 Thm. (X ^ γ j α) = (γ j iX α) 1 σ µ1 µp s d! = @σ!µ ...µ dx ^ dx ^ ::: ^ dx Thm. (X j Y )(α j α) = (−1) (i ?α j i ?α) + (i α j i α) p! 1 p X Y X Y p p · Lie derivative £X :Ω ! Ω Z hα; !i := α ^ ?! M £X ! = (iX d + diX )! Thm. If s = 0 then hα; αi ≥ 0 and hα; αi = 0 i α = 0. · Coderivative δ (or dy):Ωp ! Ωp−1 Thm. If s = 0 then −∆ is a positive operator in a sense that δf = 0 ; δ! = (−1)m(p+1)+s ? d ? ! h!; −∆!i = hd!; d!i + hδ!; δ!i ≥ 0 · Laplace–Beltrami operator (Laplacian) ∆ : Ωp ! Ωp Consequently ∆! = 0 i d! = 0 and δ! = 0. ∆ = dδ + δd = (d + δ)2 Pullback Maxwell’s equations (m; s) = (4; 1) For a C1 map φ : S ! M, we dene φ∗ :Ωp(M) ! Ωp(S), ∗ dF = 4π ?jm ; d ?F = 4π ?je (φ !)(X1;:::;Xp) := !(φ∗X1; : : : ; φ∗Xp) a a @(xµ1 ◦ φ) @(xµp ◦ φ) Electro/magnetic decomposition via X with N = XaX : ∗ (φ !)σ1...σp js = ··· σ !µ1...µp jφ(s) @yσ1 s @y p s E = −iX F ; B = iX ?F φ∗(α ^ β) = (φ∗α) ^ (φ∗β) ; φ∗d = dφ∗ −NF = X ^ E + ?(X ^ B) φ∗(?!) 6= ?(φ∗!) N.B. N(F j F ) = (E j E) − (B j B) N(F j ?F ) = −2 (E j B) Stokes’s theorem. Let M be a smooth orientable m-manifold boundary @M and inclusion { : @M ! M. Then for any compactly Maxwell’s equations via δ = −?d? and ! = −?(X ^ dX), supported ! 2 Ωm−1(M), (E j iX dX) (B j !) Z Z −δE = − + 4π(X j je) d! = {∗! N N M @M (B j i dX) (E j !) −δB = X + + 4π(X j j ) N N m Z −dE = £X F + 4π ?(X ^ jm) Corollary hdγ; αi + hγ; δαi = γ ^ ?α dB = £X ?F + 4π ?(X ^ je) @M Green’s identity for α; β 2 Ωp(M) Z Z ∆α^?β−∆β^?α = δα^?β−δβ^?α+β^?dα−α^?dβ M @M Killing vectors a a Thm. For a Killing vector K with N = KaK we have Frobenius’s theorem. Let M be a smooth m-manifold and D a k- dim distribution (subbundle of TM), dened by (m − k) linearly in- £K K = 0 ; δK = 0 ; d?dK = 2 ?R(K) ; dN = −iK dK dependent 1-forms fθ(1);:::; θ(m−k)g, so that at each point p 2 M T (i) £K α = δ(K ^ α) + K ^ δα ; £K ?α = ? £K α we have Djp = i Ker(θ jp). Then the following conditions are equivalent Thm. (m; s) = (4; 1). Let (M; gab) be a Lorentzian 4-manifold with • D is involutive, (8 X; Y 2 D):[X; Y ] 2 D a the Killing vector eld K . Then the twist 1-form !a, dened as • D is totally integrable: for any p 2 M there is a nbh Op and i b c d functions hj ; fj : Op ! R, such that ! := −?(K ^ dK) ;!a = abcdK r K m−k satises the following relations (i) X i θ = hj dfj j=1 d! = −2?(K ^ R(K)) ; Nδ! = 2 (! j dN) • the condition (! j !) = (dN j dN) − N∆N − 2NR(K; K) θ(1) ^ ::: ^ θ(m−k) ^ dθ(i) = 0 NdK = ?(K ^ !) − K ^ dN holds for any i 2 f1; : : : ; m − kg. N(dK j dK) = (dN j dN) − (! j !) K ! δ = 0 ; δ = 0 De Rham cohomology N N 2 dN (! j !) + 2NR(K; K) r r δ = − closed forms Z (M) = f! 2 Ω j d! = 0g N N 2 exact forms Br(M) = ! 2 Ωr j 9 γ 2 Ωr−1 : ! = dγ E (! j B) 4π δ = − (K j je) r r r N N 2 N HdR(M) = Z (M)=B (M) Pm r r B (! j E) 4π Euler-Poincaré characteristic χ(M) = r=0(−1) b with Bei δ = − − (K j jm) r r N N 2 N numbers b = dim HdR(M). For n ≥ 1 the de Rham cohomology n r n R groups of spheres S are HdR(S ) = (δr0 + δrn) . Thm. If M is a connected smooth manifold with nite fundamental r group, then HdR(M) = 0. Poincaré lemma. Every closed form on a contractible open set is exact. Hodge decomposition theorem. On any closed orientable Rieman- nian manifold M, for any ! 2 Ωp(M) there is a unique global de- composition ! = dα + δβ + χ with α 2 Ωp−1, β 2 Ωp+1 and χ 2 Ωp is harmonic, ∆χ = 0. ∗ C&CP.
Recommended publications
  • Abstract Tensor Systems and Diagrammatic Representations
    Abstract tensor systems and diagrammatic representations J¯anisLazovskis September 28, 2012 Abstract The diagrammatic tensor calculus used by Roger Penrose (most notably in [7]) is introduced without a solid mathematical grounding. We will attempt to derive the tools of such a system, but in a broader setting. We show that Penrose's work comes from the diagrammisation of the symmetric algebra. Lie algebra representations and their extensions to knot theory are also discussed. Contents 1 Abstract tensors and derived structures 2 1.1 Abstract tensor notation . 2 1.2 Some basic operations . 3 1.3 Tensor diagrams . 3 2 A diagrammised abstract tensor system 6 2.1 Generation . 6 2.2 Tensor concepts . 9 3 Representations of algebras 11 3.1 The symmetric algebra . 12 3.2 Lie algebras . 13 3.3 The tensor algebra T(g)....................................... 16 3.4 The symmetric Lie algebra S(g)................................... 17 3.5 The universal enveloping algebra U(g) ............................... 18 3.6 The metrized Lie algebra . 20 3.6.1 Diagrammisation with a bilinear form . 20 3.6.2 Diagrammisation with a symmetric bilinear form . 24 3.6.3 Diagrammisation with a symmetric bilinear form and an orthonormal basis . 24 3.6.4 Diagrammisation under ad-invariance . 29 3.7 The universal enveloping algebra U(g) for a metrized Lie algebra g . 30 4 Ensuing connections 32 A Appendix 35 Note: This work relies heavily upon the text of Chapter 12 of a draft of \An Introduction to Quantum and Vassiliev Invariants of Knots," by David M.R. Jackson and Iain Moffatt, a yet-unpublished book at the time of writing.
    [Show full text]
  • Geometric Algebra and Covariant Methods in Physics and Cosmology
    GEOMETRIC ALGEBRA AND COVARIANT METHODS IN PHYSICS AND COSMOLOGY Antony M Lewis Queens' College and Astrophysics Group, Cavendish Laboratory A dissertation submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Cambridge. September 2000 Updated 2005 with typo corrections Preface This dissertation is the result of work carried out in the Astrophysics Group of the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, between October 1997 and September 2000. Except where explicit reference is made to the work of others, the work contained in this dissertation is my own, and is not the outcome of work done in collaboration. No part of this dissertation has been submitted for a degree, diploma or other quali¯cation at this or any other university. The total length of this dissertation does not exceed sixty thousand words. Antony Lewis September, 2000 iii Acknowledgements It is a pleasure to thank all those people who have helped me out during the last three years. I owe a great debt to Anthony Challinor and Chris Doran who provided a great deal of help and advice on both general and technical aspects of my work. I thank my supervisor Anthony Lasenby who provided much inspiration, guidance and encouragement without which most of this work would never have happened. I thank Sarah Bridle for organizing the useful lunchtime CMB discussion group from which I learnt a great deal, and the other members of the Cavendish Astrophysics Group for interesting discussions, in particular Pia Mukherjee, Carl Dolby, Will Grainger and Mike Hobson. I gratefully acknowledge ¯nancial support from PPARC. v Contents Preface iii Acknowledgements v 1 Introduction 1 2 Geometric Algebra 5 2.1 De¯nitions and basic properties .
    [Show full text]
  • Two-Spinors, Oscillator Algebras, and Qubits: Aspects of Manifestly Covariant Approach to Relativistic Quantum Information
    Quantum Information Processing manuscript No. (will be inserted by the editor) Two-spinors, oscillator algebras, and qubits: Aspects of manifestly covariant approach to relativistic quantum information Marek Czachor Received: date / Accepted: date Abstract The first part of the paper reviews applications of 2-spinor methods to rela- tivistic qubits (analogies between tetrads in Minkowski space and 2-qubit states, qubits defined by means of null directions and their role for elimination of the Peres-Scudo- Terno phenomenon, advantages and disadvantages of relativistic polarization operators defined by the Pauli-Lubanski vector, manifestly covariant approach to unitary rep- resentations of inhomogeneous SL(2,C)). The second part deals with electromagnetic fields quantized by means of harmonic oscillator Lie algebras (not necessarily taken in irreducible representations). As opposed to non-relativistic singlets one has to dis- tinguish between maximally symmetric and EPR states. The distinction is one of the sources of ‘strange’ relativistic properties of EPR correlations. As an example, EPR averages are explicitly computed for linear polarizations in states that are antisymmet- ric in both helicities and momenta. The result takes the familiar form p cos 2(α β) ± − independently of the choice of representation of harmonic oscillator algebra. Parameter p is determined by spectral properties of detectors and the choice of EPR state, but is unrelated to detector efficiencies. Brief analysis of entanglement with vacuum and vacuum violation of Bell’s inequality is given. The effects are related to inequivalent notions of vacuum states. Technical appendices discuss details of the representation I employ in field quantization. In particular, M-shaped delta-sequences are used to define Dirac deltas regular at zero.
    [Show full text]
  • Arxiv:1412.2393V4 [Gr-Qc] 27 Feb 2019 2.6 Geodesics and Normal Coordinates
    Riemannian Geometry: Definitions, Pictures, and Results Adam Marsh February 27, 2019 Abstract A pedagogical but concise overview of Riemannian geometry is provided, in the context of usage in physics. The emphasis is on defining and visualizing concepts and relationships between them, as well as listing common confusions, alternative notations and jargon, and relevant facts and theorems. Special attention is given to detailed figures and geometric viewpoints, some of which would seem to be novel to the literature. Topics are avoided which are well covered in textbooks, such as historical motivations, proofs and derivations, and tools for practical calculations. As much material as possible is developed for manifolds with connection (omitting a metric) to make clear which aspects can be readily generalized to gauge theories. The presentation in most cases does not assume a coordinate frame or zero torsion, and the coordinate-free, tensor, and Cartan formalisms are developed in parallel. Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Parallel transport 3 2.1 The parallel transporter . 3 2.2 The covariant derivative . 4 2.3 The connection . 5 2.4 The covariant derivative in terms of the connection . 6 2.5 The parallel transporter in terms of the connection . 9 arXiv:1412.2393v4 [gr-qc] 27 Feb 2019 2.6 Geodesics and normal coordinates . 9 2.7 Summary . 10 3 Manifolds with connection 11 3.1 The covariant derivative on the tensor algebra . 12 3.2 The exterior covariant derivative of vector-valued forms . 13 3.3 The exterior covariant derivative of algebra-valued forms . 15 3.4 Torsion . 16 3.5 Curvature .
    [Show full text]
  • 2 Differential Geometry
    2 Differential Geometry The language of General relativity is Differential Geometry. The preset chap- ter provides a brief review of the ideas and notions of Differential Geometry that will be used in the book. In this role, it also serves the purpose of setting the notation and conventions to be used througout the book. The chapter is not intended as an introduction to Differential Geometry and as- sumes a prior knowledge of the subject at the level, say, of the first chapter of Choquet-Bruhat (2008) or Stewart (1991), or chapters 2 and 3 of Wald (1984). As such, rigorous definitions of concepts are not treated in depth —the reader is, in any case, refered to the literature provided in the text, and that given in the final section of the chapter. Instead, the decision has been taken of discussing at some length topics which may not be regarded as belonging to the standard bagage of a relativist. In particular, some detail is provided in the discussion of general (i.e. non Levi-Civita) connections, the sometimes 1+3 split of tensors (i.e. a split based on a congruence of timelike curves, rather than on a foliation as in the usual 3 + 1), and a discussion of submanifolds using a frame formalism. A discussion of conformal geometry has been left out of this chapter and will be undertaken in Chapter 5. 2.1 Manifolds The basic object of study in Differential Geometry is a differentiable man- ifold . Intuitively, a manifold is a space that locally looks like Rn for some n N.
    [Show full text]
  • A Treatise on Quantum Clifford Algebras Contents
    A Treatise on Quantum Clifford Algebras Habilitationsschrift Dr. Bertfried Fauser arXiv:math/0202059v1 [math.QA] 7 Feb 2002 Universitat¨ Konstanz Fachbereich Physik Fach M 678 78457 Konstanz January 25, 2002 To Dorothea Ida and Rudolf Eugen Fauser BERTFRIED FAUSER —UNIVERSITY OF KONSTANZ I ABSTRACT: Quantum Clifford Algebras (QCA), i.e. Clifford Hopf gebras based on bilinear forms of arbitrary symmetry, are treated in a broad sense. Five al- ternative constructions of QCAs are exhibited. Grade free Hopf gebraic product formulas are derived for meet and join of Graßmann-Cayley algebras including co-meet and co-join for Graßmann-Cayley co-gebras which are very efficient and may be used in Robotics, left and right contractions, left and right co-contractions, Clifford and co-Clifford products, etc. The Chevalley deformation, using a Clif- ford map, arises as a special case. We discuss Hopf algebra versus Hopf gebra, the latter emerging naturally from a bi-convolution. Antipode and crossing are consequences of the product and co-product structure tensors and not subjectable to a choice. A frequently used Kuperberg lemma is revisited necessitating the def- inition of non-local products and interacting Hopf gebras which are generically non-perturbative. A ‘spinorial’ generalization of the antipode is given. The non- existence of non-trivial integrals in low-dimensional Clifford co-gebras is shown. Generalized cliffordization is discussed which is based on non-exponentially gen- erated bilinear forms in general resulting in non unital, non-associative products. Reasonable assumptions lead to bilinear forms based on 2-cocycles. Cliffordiza- tion is used to derive time- and normal-ordered generating functionals for the Schwinger-Dyson hierarchies of non-linear spinor field theory and spinor electro- dynamics.
    [Show full text]
  • Revisiting the Radio Interferometer Measurement Equation IV
    A&A 531, A159 (2011) Astronomy DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201116764 & c ESO 2011 Astrophysics Revisiting the radio interferometer measurement equation IV. A generalized tensor formalism O. M. Smirnov Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) PO Box 2, 7990AA Dwingeloo, The Netherlands e-mail: [email protected] Received 22 February 2011 / Accepted 1 June 2011 ABSTRACT Context. The radio interferometer measurement equation (RIME), especially in its 2 × 2 form, has provided a comprehensive matrix- based formalism for describing classical radio interferometry and polarimetry, as shown in the previous three papers of this series. However, recent practical and theoretical developments, such as phased array feeds (PAFs), aperture arrays (AAs) and wide-field polarimetry, are exposing limitations of the formalism. Aims. This paper aims to develop a more general formalism that can be used to both clearly define the limitations of the matrix RIME, and to describe observational scenarios that lie outside these limitations. Methods. Some assumptions underlying the matrix RIME are explicated and analysed in detail. To this purpose, an array correlation matrix (ACM) formalism is explored. This proves of limited use; it is shown that matrix algebra is simply not a sufficiently flexible tool for the job. To overcome these limitations, a more general formalism based on tensors and the Einstein notation is proposed and explored both theoretically, and with a view to practical implementations. Results. The tensor formalism elegantly yields generalized RIMEs describing beamforming, mutual coupling, and wide-field po- larimetry in one equation. It is shown that under the explicated assumptions, tensor equations reduce to the 2 × 2RIME.Froma practical point of view, some methods for implementing tensor equations in an optimal way are proposed and analysed.
    [Show full text]
  • Birdtracks for SU(N)
    SciPost Phys. Lect. Notes 3 (2018) Birdtracks for SU(N) Stefan Keppeler Fachbereich Mathematik, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany ? [email protected] Abstract I gently introduce the diagrammatic birdtrack notation, first for vector algebra and then for permutations. After moving on to general tensors I review some recent results on Hermitian Young operators, gluon projectors, and multiplet bases for SU(N) color space. Copyright S. Keppeler. Received 25-07-2017 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Accepted 19-06-2018 Check for Attribution 4.0 International License. Published 27-09-2018 updates Published by the SciPost Foundation. doi:10.21468/SciPostPhysLectNotes.3 Contents Introduction 2 1 Vector algebra2 2 Birdtracks for SU(N) tensors6 Exercise: Decomposition of V V 8 ⊗ 3 Permutations and the symmetric group 11 3.1 Recap: group algebra and regular representation 14 3.2 Recap: Young operators 14 3.3 Young operators and SU(N): multiplets 16 4 Colour space 17 4.1 Trace bases vs. multiplet bases 18 4.2 Multiplet bases for quarks 20 4.3 General multiplet bases 22 4.4 Gluon projectors 23 4.5 Some multiplet bases 26 5 Further reading 28 References 29 1 SciPost Phys. Lect. Notes 3 (2018) Introduction The term birdtracks was coined by Predrag Cvitanovi´c, figuratively denoting the diagrammatic notation he uses in his book on Lie groups [1] – hereinafter referred to as THE BOOK. The birdtrack notation is closely related to (abstract) index notation. Translating back and forth between birdtracks and index notation is achieved easily by following some simple rules.
    [Show full text]
  • Two-Spinors and Symmetry Operators
    Two-spinors and Symmetry Operators An Investigation into the Existence of Symmetry Operators for the Massive Dirac Equation using Spinor Techniques and Computer Algebra Tools Master’s thesis in Physics Simon Stefanus Jacobsson DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES CHALMERS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Gothenburg, Sweden 2021 www.chalmers.se Master’s thesis 2021 Two-spinors and Symmetry Operators ¦ An Investigation into the Existence of Symmetry Operators for the Massive Dirac Equation using Spinor Techniques and Computer Algebra Tools SIMON STEFANUS JACOBSSON Department of Mathematical Sciences Division of Analysis and Probability Theory Mathematical Physics Chalmers University of Technology Gothenburg, Sweden 2021 Two-spinors and Symmetry Operators An Investigation into the Existence of Symmetry Operators for the Massive Dirac Equation using Spinor Techniques and Computer Algebra Tools SIMON STEFANUS JACOBSSON © SIMON STEFANUS JACOBSSON, 2021. Supervisor: Thomas Bäckdahl, Mathematical Sciences Examiner: Simone Calogero, Mathematical Sciences Master’s Thesis 2021 Department of Mathematical Sciences Division of Analysis and Probability Theory Mathematical Physics Chalmers University of Technology SE-412 96 Gothenburg Telephone +46 31 772 1000 Typeset in LATEX Printed by Chalmers Reproservice Gothenburg, Sweden 2021 iii Two-spinors and Symmetry Operators An Investigation into the Existence of Symmetry Operators for the Massive Dirac Equation using Spinor Techniques and Computer Algebra Tools SIMON STEFANUS JACOBSSON Department of Mathematical Sciences Chalmers University of Technology Abstract This thesis employs spinor techniques to find what conditions a curved spacetime must satisfy for there to exist a second order symmetry operator for the massive Dirac equation. Conditions are of the form of the existence of a set of Killing spinors satisfying some set of covariant differential equations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Poor Man's Introduction to Tensors
    The Poor Man’s Introduction to Tensors Justin C. Feng Preface In the spring semester of 2013, I took a graduate fluid mechanics class taught by Philip J. Morrison. On thefirst homework assignment, I found that it was easier to solve some of the problems using tensors in the coordinate basis, but I was uncomfortable with it because I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to use a formalism that had not been taught in class. Eventually, I decided that if I wrote an appendix on tensors, I would be allowed to use the formalism. Sometime in 2014, I converted1 the appendix into a set of introductory notes on tensors and posted it on my academic website, figuring that they might be useful for someone interested in learning thetopic. Over the past three years, I had become increasingly dissatisfied with the notes. The biggest issue with these notes was that they were typeset in Mathematica—during my early graduate career, I typeset my homework assignments in Mathematica, and it was easiest to copy and paste the appendix into another Mathematica notebook (Mathematica does have a feature to convert notebooks to TeX, but much of the formatting is lost in the process). I had also become extremely dissatisfied with the content—the notes contained many formulas that weren’t sufficiently justified, and there were many examples of sloppy reasoning throughout. At one point, I had even considered removing the notes from my website, but after receiving some positive feedback from students who benefited from the notes, I decided to leave it up for the time being, vowing to someday update and rewrite these notes in TeX.
    [Show full text]
  • Geometric Methods in Mathematical Physics I: Multi-Linear Algebra, Tensors, Spinors and Special Relativity
    Geometric Methods in Mathematical Physics I: Multi-Linear Algebra, Tensors, Spinors and Special Relativity by Valter Moretti www.science.unitn.it/∼moretti/home.html Department of Mathematics, University of Trento Italy Lecture notes authored by Valter Moretti and freely downloadable from the web page http://www.science.unitn.it/∼moretti/dispense.html and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribuzione-Non commerciale-Non opere derivate 2.5 Italia License. None is authorized to sell them 1 Contents 1 Introduction and some useful notions and results 5 2 Multi-linear Mappings and Tensors 8 2.1 Dual space and conjugate space, pairing, adjoint operator . 8 2.2 Multi linearity: tensor product, tensors, universality theorem . 14 2.2.1 Tensors as multi linear maps . 14 2.2.2 Universality theorem and its applications . 22 2.2.3 Abstract definition of the tensor product of vector spaces . 26 2.2.4 Hilbert tensor product of Hilbert spaces . 28 3 Tensor algebra, abstract index notation and some applications 34 3.1 Tensor algebra generated by a vector space . 34 3.2 The abstract index notation and rules to handle tensors . 37 3.2.1 Canonical bases and abstract index notation . 37 3.2.2 Rules to compose, decompose, produce tensors form tensors . 39 3.2.3 Linear transformations of tensors are tensors too . 41 3.3 Physical invariance of the form of laws and tensors . 43 3.4 Tensors on Affine and Euclidean spaces . 43 3.4.1 Tensor spaces, Cartesian tensors . 45 3.4.2 Applied tensors . 46 3.4.3 The natural isomorphism between V and V ∗ for Cartesian vectors in Eu- clidean spaces .
    [Show full text]
  • Differential Forms in Physics II Maxwell's Equations
    Differential Forms in Physics II Maxwell’s Equations These notes are a follow-up to the previous notes on Stokes’s Theorem and differential forms; refer to that paper for definitions and discussions that will be useful here. In this monograph we rewrite Maxwell’s Equations in the language of differential forms, showcasing yet again (as in the Stokes’s Theorem paper) the elegance and usefulness of the latter. Being verse in both math and physics lingo can be quite advantageous, and this is in fact the point we are trying to drive home through this series of brief monographs. Our starting point is Maxwell’s Equations, as they are written in elementary electrodynamics m e treatments (in geometrized Gaussian units (c = 0 = 0 = 1)): r~ · ~E = 4pr (Gauss) (1a) r~ · ~B = 0 (1b) ¶~B r~ × ~E + = 0 (Faraday) (1c) ¶t ¶~E r~ × ~B − = 4p~J (Ampère) (1d) ¶t where the 3-vectors ~E and ~B are the electric and magnetic field, respectively, and r and ~J are the charge density and current density, respectively. Now, Maxwell’s Equations are the correct theory of electricity and magnetism (and therefore of light), and Special Relativity was invented to explain certain properties of light; whence these equations are relativistically correct. However, one major drawback is the equations’ dependence on the choice of a frame (i.e., chart, in math lingo), since neither ~E nor ~B are frame-independent, geometric entities in four-dimensional spacetime. What we need then is a purely geometric object that transcends coordinates and reference frames (i.e., a tensor field) that encapsulates both ~E and ~B.
    [Show full text]