CLIFFORD ALGEBRAS LECTURE NOTES on APPLICATIONS in PHYSICS Pierre Renaud
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Math 651 Homework 1 - Algebras and Groups Due 2/22/2013
Math 651 Homework 1 - Algebras and Groups Due 2/22/2013 1) Consider the Lie Group SU(2), the group of 2 × 2 complex matrices A T with A A = I and det(A) = 1. The underlying set is z −w jzj2 + jwj2 = 1 (1) w z with the standard S3 topology. The usual basis for su(2) is 0 i 0 −1 i 0 X = Y = Z = (2) i 0 1 0 0 −i (which are each i times the Pauli matrices: X = iσx, etc.). a) Show this is the algebra of purely imaginary quaternions, under the commutator bracket. b) Extend X to a left-invariant field and Y to a right-invariant field, and show by computation that the Lie bracket between them is zero. c) Extending X, Y , Z to global left-invariant vector fields, give SU(2) the metric g(X; X) = g(Y; Y ) = g(Z; Z) = 1 and all other inner products zero. Show this is a bi-invariant metric. d) Pick > 0 and set g(X; X) = 2, leaving g(Y; Y ) = g(Z; Z) = 1. Show this is left-invariant but not bi-invariant. p 2) The realification of an n × n complex matrix A + −1B is its assignment it to the 2n × 2n matrix A −B (3) BA Any n × n quaternionic matrix can be written A + Bk where A and B are complex matrices. Its complexification is the 2n × 2n complex matrix A −B (4) B A a) Show that the realification of complex matrices and complexifica- tion of quaternionic matrices are algebra homomorphisms. -
CLIFFORD ALGEBRAS and THEIR REPRESENTATIONS Introduction
CLIFFORD ALGEBRAS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIONS Andrzej Trautman, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Warszawa, Poland Article accepted for publication in the Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics c 2005 Elsevier Science Ltd ! Introduction Introductory and historical remarks Clifford (1878) introduced his ‘geometric algebras’ as a generalization of Grassmann alge- bras, complex numbers and quaternions. Lipschitz (1886) was the first to define groups constructed from ‘Clifford numbers’ and use them to represent rotations in a Euclidean ´ space. E. Cartan discovered representations of the Lie algebras son(C) and son(R), n > 2, that do not lift to representations of the orthogonal groups. In physics, Clifford algebras and spinors appear for the first time in Pauli’s nonrelativistic theory of the ‘magnetic elec- tron’. Dirac (1928), in his work on the relativistic wave equation of the electron, introduced matrices that provide a representation of the Clifford algebra of Minkowski space. Brauer and Weyl (1935) connected the Clifford and Dirac ideas with Cartan’s spinorial represen- tations of Lie algebras; they found, in any number of dimensions, the spinorial, projective representations of the orthogonal groups. Clifford algebras and spinors are implicit in Euclid’s solution of the Pythagorean equation x2 y2 + z2 = 0 which is equivalent to − y x z p = 2 p q (1) −z y + x q ! " ! " # $ so that x = q2 p2, y = p2 + q2, z = 2pq. If the numbers appearing in (1) are real, then − this equation can be interpreted as providing a representation of a vector (x, y, z) R3, null ∈ with respect to a quadratic form of signature (1, 2), as the ‘square’ of a spinor (p, q) R2. -
Clifford Algebra and the Interpretation of Quantum
In: J.S.R. Chisholm/A.K. Commons (Eds.), Cliord Algebras and their Applications in Mathematical Physics. Reidel, Dordrecht/Boston (1986), 321–346. CLIFFORD ALGEBRA AND THE INTERPRETATION OF QUANTUM MECHANICS David Hestenes ABSTRACT. The Dirac theory has a hidden geometric structure. This talk traces the concep- tual steps taken to uncover that structure and points out signicant implications for the interpre- tation of quantum mechanics. The unit imaginary in the Dirac equation is shown to represent the generator of rotations in a spacelike plane related to the spin. This implies a geometric interpreta- tion for the generator of electromagnetic gauge transformations as well as for the entire electroweak gauge group of the Weinberg-Salam model. The geometric structure also helps to reveal closer con- nections to classical theory than hitherto suspected, including exact classical solutions of the Dirac equation. 1. INTRODUCTION The interpretation of quantum mechanics has been vigorously and inconclusively debated since the inception of the theory. My purpose today is to call your attention to some crucial features of quantum mechanics which have been overlooked in the debate. I claim that the Pauli and Dirac algebras have a geometric interpretation which has been implicit in quantum mechanics all along. My aim will be to make that geometric interpretation explicit and show that it has nontrivial implications for the physical interpretation of quantum mechanics. Before getting started, I would like to apologize for what may appear to be excessive self-reference in this talk. I have been pursuing the theme of this talk for 25 years, but the road has been a lonely one where I have not met anyone travelling very far in the same direction. -
On the Complexification of the Classical Geometries And
On the complexication of the classical geometries and exceptional numb ers April Intro duction The classical groups On R Spn R and GLn C app ear as the isometry groups of sp ecial geome tries on a real vector space In fact the orthogonal group On R represents the linear isomorphisms of arealvector space V of dimension nleaving invariant a p ositive denite and symmetric bilinear form g on V The symplectic group Spn R represents the isometry group of a real vector space of dimension n leaving invariant a nondegenerate skewsymmetric bilinear form on V Finally GLn C represents the linear isomorphisms of a real vector space V of dimension nleaving invariant a complex structure on V ie an endomorphism J V V satisfying J These three geometries On R Spn R and GLn C in GLn Rintersect even pairwise in the unitary group Un C Considering now the relativeversions of these geometries on a real manifold of dimension n leads to the notions of a Riemannian manifold an almostsymplectic manifold and an almostcomplex manifold A symplectic manifold however is an almostsymplectic manifold X ie X is a manifold and is a nondegenerate form on X so that the form is closed Similarly an almostcomplex manifold X J is called complex if the torsion tensor N J vanishes These three geometries intersect in the notion of a Kahler manifold In view of the imp ortance of the complexication of the real Lie groupsfor instance in the structure theory and representation theory of semisimple real Lie groupswe consider here the question on the underlying geometrical -
Dirac Equation - Wikipedia
Dirac equation - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirac_equation Dirac equation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In particle physics, the Dirac equation is a relativistic wave equation derived by British physicist Paul Dirac in 1928. In its free form, or including electromagnetic interactions, it 1 describes all spin-2 massive particles such as electrons and quarks for which parity is a symmetry. It is consistent with both the principles of quantum mechanics and the theory of special relativity,[1] and was the first theory to account fully for special relativity in the context of quantum mechanics. It was validated by accounting for the fine details of the hydrogen spectrum in a completely rigorous way. The equation also implied the existence of a new form of matter, antimatter, previously unsuspected and unobserved and which was experimentally confirmed several years later. It also provided a theoretical justification for the introduction of several component wave functions in Pauli's phenomenological theory of spin; the wave functions in the Dirac theory are vectors of four complex numbers (known as bispinors), two of which resemble the Pauli wavefunction in the non-relativistic limit, in contrast to the Schrödinger equation which described wave functions of only one complex value. Moreover, in the limit of zero mass, the Dirac equation reduces to the Weyl equation. Although Dirac did not at first fully appreciate the importance of his results, the entailed explanation of spin as a consequence of the union of quantum mechanics and relativity—and the eventual discovery of the positron—represents one of the great triumphs of theoretical physics. -
Patterns of Maximally Entangled States Within the Algebra of Biquaternions
J. Phys. Commun. 4 (2020) 055018 https://doi.org/10.1088/2399-6528/ab9506 PAPER Patterns of maximally entangled states within the algebra of OPEN ACCESS biquaternions RECEIVED 21 March 2020 Lidia Obojska REVISED 16 May 2020 Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, ul. 3 Maja 54, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION E-mail: [email protected] 20 May 2020 Keywords: bipartite entanglement, biquaternions, density matrix, mereology PUBLISHED 28 May 2020 Original content from this Abstract work may be used under This paper proposes a description of maximally entangled bipartite states within the algebra of the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 biquaternions–Ä . We assume that a bipartite entanglement is created in a process of splitting licence. one particle into a pair of two indiscernible, yet not identical particles. As a result, we describe an Any further distribution of this work must maintain entangled correlation by the use of a division relation and obtain twelve forms of biquaternions, attribution to the author(s) and the title of representing pure maximally entangled states. Additionally, we obtain other patterns, describing the work, journal citation mixed entangled states. Finally, we show that there are no other maximally entangled states in Ä and DOI. than those presented in this work. 1. Introduction In 1935, Einstein, Podolski and Rosen described a strange phenomenon, in which in its pure state, one particle behaves like a pair of two indistinguishable, yet not identical, particles [1]. This phenomenon, called by Einstein ’a spooky action at a distance’, has been investigated by many authors, who tried to explain this strange correlation [2–9]. -
Majorana Spinors
MAJORANA SPINORS JOSE´ FIGUEROA-O'FARRILL Contents 1. Complex, real and quaternionic representations 2 2. Some basis-dependent formulae 5 3. Clifford algebras and their spinors 6 4. Complex Clifford algebras and the Majorana condition 10 5. Examples 13 One dimension 13 Two dimensions 13 Three dimensions 14 Four dimensions 14 Six dimensions 15 Ten dimensions 16 Eleven dimensions 16 Twelve dimensions 16 ...and back! 16 Summary 19 References 19 These notes arose as an attempt to conceptualise the `symplectic Majorana{Weyl condition' in 5+1 dimensions; but have turned into a general discussion of spinors. Spinors play a crucial role in supersymmetry. Part of their versatility is that they come in many guises: `Dirac', `Majorana', `Weyl', `Majorana{Weyl', `symplectic Majorana', `symplectic Majorana{Weyl', and their `pseudo' counterparts. The tra- ditional physics approach to this topic is a mixed bag of tricks using disparate aspects of representation theory of finite groups. In these notes we will attempt to provide a uniform treatment based on the classification of Clifford algebras, a work dating back to the early 60s and all but ignored by the theoretical physics com- munity. Recent developments in superstring theory have made us re-examine the conditions for the existence of different kinds of spinors in spacetimes of arbitrary signature, and we believe that a discussion of this more uniform approach is timely and could be useful to the student meeting this topic for the first time or to the practitioner who has difficulty remembering the answer to questions like \when do symplectic Majorana{Weyl spinors exist?" The notes are organised as follows. -
Maxwell's Equations
Maxwell’s equations Daniel Henry Gottlieb August 1, 2004 Abstract We express Maxwell’s equations as a single equation, first using the divergence of a special type of matrix field to obtain the four current, and then the divergence of a special matrix to obtain the Electromagnetic field. These two equations give rise to a remarkable dual set of equations in which the operators become the matrices and the vectors become the fields. The decoupling of the equations into the wave equation is very simple and natural. The divergence of the stress energy tensor gives the Lorentz Law in a very natural way. We compare this approach to the related descriptions of Maxwell’s equations by biquaternions and Clifford algebras. 1 Introduction Maxwell’s equations have been expressed in many forms in the century and a half since their dis- covery. The original equations were 16 in number. The vector forms, written below, consist of 4 equations. The differential form versions consists of two equations; see [Misner, Thorne and Wheeler(1973); see equations 4.10, 4.11]. See also [Steven Parrott(1987) page 98 -100 ] The ap- plication of quaternions, and their complexification, the biquaternions, results in a version of one equation. William E. Baylis (1999) equation 3.8, is an example. In this work, we obtain one Maxwell equation, (10), representing the electromagnetic field as a matrix and the divergence as a vector multiplying the field matrix. But we also obtain a remarkable dual formulation of Maxwell’s equation, (15), wherein the operator is now the matrix and the field is now the vector. -
Relativistic Inversion, Invariance and Inter-Action
S S symmetry Article Relativistic Inversion, Invariance and Inter-Action Martin B. van der Mark †,‡ and John G. Williamson *,‡ The Quantum Bicycle Society, 12 Crossburn Terrace, Troon KA1 07HB, Scotland, UK; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] † Formerly of Philips Research, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands. ‡ These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: A general formula for inversion in a relativistic Clifford–Dirac algebra has been derived. Identifying the base elements of the algebra as those of space and time, the first order differential equations over all quantities proves to encompass the Maxwell equations, leads to a natural extension incorporating rest mass and spin, and allows an integration with relativistic quantum mechanics. Although the algebra is not a division algebra, it parallels reality well: where division is undefined turns out to correspond to physical limits, such as that of the light cone. The divisor corresponds to invariants of dynamical significance, such as the invariant interval, the general invariant quantities in electromagnetism, and the basis set of quantities in the Dirac equation. It is speculated that the apparent 3-dimensionality of nature arises from a beautiful symmetry between the three-vector algebra and each of four sets of three derived spaces in the full 4-dimensional algebra. It is conjectured that elements of inversion may play a role in the interaction of fields and matter. Keywords: invariants; inversion; division; non-division algebra; Dirac algebra; Clifford algebra; geometric algebra; special relativity; photon interaction Citation: van der Mark, M.B.; 1. Introduction Williamson, J.G. Relativistic Inversion, Invariance and Inter-Action. -
The Extended Relativity Theory in Clifford Spaces
THE EXTENDED RELATIVITY THEORY IN CLIFFORD SPACES C. Castroa and M. Pav·si·cb May 21, 2004 aCenter for Theoretical Studies of Physical Systems, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta bJo·zef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Email: [email protected] Abstract A brief review of some of the most important features of the Extended Rela- tivity theory in Cli®ord-spaces (C-spaces) is presented whose " point" coordinates are noncommuting Cli®ord-valued quantities and which incorporate the lines, ar- eas, volumes,.... degrees of freedom associated with the collective particle, string, membrane,... dynamics of p-loops (closed p-branes) living in target D-dimensional spacetime backgrounds. C-space Relativity naturally incorporates the ideas of an invariant length (Planck scale), maximal acceleration, noncommuting coordinates, supersymmetry, holography, higher derivative gravity with torsion and variable di- mensions/signatures that allows to study the dynamics of all (closed) p-branes, for all values of p, on a uni¯ed footing. It resolves the ordering ambiguities in QFT and the problem of time in Cosmology. A discussion of the maximal-acceleration Rela- tivity principle in phase-spaces follows along with the study of the invariance group of symmetry transformations in phase-space that allows to show why Planck areas are invariant under acceleration-boosts transformations and which seems to suggest that a maximal-string tension principle may be operating in Nature. We continue by pointing out how the relativity of signatures of the underlying n-dimensional spacetime results from taking di®erent n-dimensional slices through C-space. The conformal group emerges as a natural subgroup of the Cli®ord group and Relativity in C-spaces involves natural scale changes in the sizes of physical objects without the introduction of forces nor Weyl's gauge ¯eld of dilations. -
Algebraic Foundations of Split Hypercomplex Nonlinear Adaptive
Mathematical Methods in the Research Article Applied Sciences Received XXXX (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI: 10.1002/sim.0000 MOS subject classification: 60G35; 15A66 Algebraic foundations of split hypercomplex nonlinear adaptive filtering E. Hitzer∗ A split hypercomplex learning algorithm for the training of nonlinear finite impulse response adaptive filters for the processing of hypercomplex signals of any dimension is proposed. The derivation strictly takes into account the laws of hypercomplex algebra and hypercomplex calculus, some of which have been neglected in existing learning approaches (e.g. for quaternions). Already in the case of quaternions we can predict improvements in performance of hypercomplex processes. The convergence of the proposed algorithms is rigorously analyzed. Copyright c 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Keywords: Quaternionic adaptive filtering, Hypercomplex adaptive filtering, Nonlinear adaptive filtering, Hypercomplex Multilayer Perceptron, Clifford geometric algebra 1. Introduction Split quaternion nonlinear adaptive filtering has recently been treated by [23], who showed its superior performance for Saito’s Chaotic Signal and for wind forecasting. The quaternionic methods constitute a generalization of complex valued adaptive filters, treated in detail in [19]. A method of quaternionic least mean square algorithm for adaptive quaternionic has previously been developed in [22]. Additionally, [24] successfully proposes the usage of local analytic fully quaternionic functions in the Quaternion Nonlinear Gradient Descent (QNGD). Yet the unconditioned use of analytic fully quaternionic activation functions in neural networks faces problems with poles due to the Liouville theorem [3]. The quaternion algebra of Hamilton is a special case of the higher dimensional Clifford algebras [10]. The problem with poles in nonlinear analytic functions does not generally occur for hypercomplex activation functions in Clifford algebras, where the Dirac and the Cauchy-Riemann operators are not elliptic [21], as shown, e.g., for hyperbolic numbers in [17]. -
Hermitian Clifford Analysis on Superspace
Hermitian Clifford analysis on superspace Hennie De Schepper, Alí Guzmán Adán, Frank Sommen Clifford Research Group, Department of Mathematical Analysis, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Galglaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Abstract In this paper we first recall the proper algebraic framework, i.e. the radial algebra, needed to extend Hermitian Clifford analysis to the superspace setting. The fundamental objects for this extension then are introduced by means of an abstract complex structure on the Hermitian radial algebra. This leads to a natural representation of this Hermitian radial algebra on superspace. Keywords. Hemitian Clifford analysis, Superspace, Radial algebra Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 1 Introduction Clifford analysis nowadays is a well established mathematical discipline constituting a natural refinement of harmonic analysis. In its most simple setting, it focusses on the null solutions of the Dirac operator Pm m @x = j=1 ej@xj , where the elements (e1; : : : ; em) form an orthonormal basis for the Euclidean space R leading to the construction of the real Clifford algebra R0;m. This setting is known as the orthogonal case since the fundamental group leaving the Dirac operator invariant is Spin(m) which is a double covering of SO(m). By taking the dimension even, say 2m, and introducing a so-called complex structure J 2 SO(2m), the fundamental elements of Hermitian Clifford analysis arise in a natural way from the orthogonal setting. The Hermitian case focusses on h-monogenic functions, h-monogenicity being expressed by means of two mutually adjoint Dirac operators which are invariant under the realization of the unitary group U(m) 1 in Spin(2m).