# Tagged Questions

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2answers
80 views

### When are there enough Casimirs?

I know that a Casimir for a Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ is a central element of the universal enveloping algebra. For example in $\mathfrak{so}(3)$ the generators are the angular momentum operators ...
2answers
108 views

### Doubts concerning Wigner's classification

Wigner classified particles in function of the eigenvalues of $P_\mu P^\mu$ and $W_\mu W^\mu$. Then, it can be proved that for massless particles spin values can be only $\pm s_{max}$. But for a ...
2answers
196 views

### Irreducible Representations Of Lorentz Group

In Weinberg's The Theory of Quantum Fields Volume 1, he considers classification one-particle states under inhomogeneous Lorentz group. My question only considers pages 62-64. He define states as ...
1answer
86 views

### Different representations of the Lorentz algebra

I've found many definitions of Lorentz generators that satisfy the Lorentz algebra: ...
1answer
84 views

### Second baryon octet

Let's temporarily ignore spin. If 3 denotes the standard representation of SU(3), 1 the trivial rep, 8 the adjoint rep and 10 the symmetric cube then it's well-known that 3 x 3 x 3 = 1 + 8 + 8 + 10 ...
1answer
187 views

### What really are superselection sectors and what are they used for?

When reading the term superselection sector, I always wrongly thought this must have something to do with supersymmetry ... DON'T laugh at me ... ;-) But now I have read in this answer, that for ...
1answer
90 views

### Mathematically, how do we deduce that angular momentum is bounded?

So, how do we know $J_{+}|j,(m=j)\rangle =|0\rangle$? I.e. that m is bounded by j. We know that $J_{+}|j,(m=j)\rangle =C|j, j+1\rangle$, but how do I know that gives zero? Is it by looking at its ...
1answer
293 views

### Dimension of Dirac $\gamma$ matrices

While studying the Dirac equation, I came across this enigmatic passage on p. 551 in From Classical to Quantum Mechanics by G. Esposito, G. Marmo, G. Sudarshan regarding the $\gamma$ matrices: ...
2answers
105 views

### Representations of Lie algebras in physics

Why is an invariant vector subspace sometimes called a representation? For example in Lie algebras, say su(3), the subspace characterized by the highest weight (1,0) is an irreducible representation ...
0answers
69 views

### Deriving term symbols from electron configuration using Young tableaux

Can somebody explain me how to derive all term symbols using Young tableaux? Our lecturer showed us but I couldn't quite understand it without any background on group theory. I have some vague ...
1answer
146 views

### Labelling representations using isospin and hypercharge

Can someone explain how isospin and hypercharge, can be used to label representations? What is the meaning of the term singlet, doublet etc in this context? In particular how can I use it to label ...
0answers
76 views

### Isospin and Hypercharge of the SU(2) bps monopole embedding

I am reading the paper Fundamental monopoles and multimonopole solutions for arbitrary simple gauge groups - Weinberg, Erick J . In appendix C of this paper the author states, that the solution ...
2answers
308 views

### Why do many people say vector fields describe spin-1 particle but omit the spin-0 part?

We know a vector field is a $(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2})$ representation of Lorentz group, which should describe both spin-1 and spin-0 particles. However many of the articles(mostly lecture notes) I've ...
1answer
279 views

### Representations of Lorentz Group

I'd be grateful if someone could check that my exposition here is correct, and then venture an answer to the question at the end! $SO(3)$ has a fundamental representation (spin-1), and tensor product ...
2answers
313 views

### Can any rank tensor be decomposed into symmetric and anti-symmetric parts?

I know that rank 2 tensors can be decomposed as such. But I would like to know if this is possible for any rank tensors?
1answer
137 views

### The use of Hall algebras in physics

I asked the same question in mo. I think maybe here there are more physics guys to help me. I once read a statement (not memorized precisely) that a certain physics quantity between two states of ...
1answer
191 views

### Holstein-Primakoff and Dyson-Maleev representation

In Holstein-Primakoff and Dyson-Maleev representation, spin operators are represented by bosonic operators. Roughly speaking, a state with $S^z=S-m$ corresponds to a state containing $m$ bosons. In ...
2answers
177 views

### What does “the N of a group” mean?

In the context of group theory (in my case, applications to physics), I frequently come across the phrase "the N" of a group, for example "a 24 of SU(5)" or "the 1" (the integer is usually typeset in ...
3answers
549 views

### What is the difference between a spinor and a vector or a tensor?

Why do we call a 1/2 spin particle satisfying the Dirac equation a spinor, and not a vector or a tensor?
1answer
187 views

### Question on Sakurai's treatment of the Harmonic Oscillator:

In Section 2.3 of the second edition of Modern Quantum Mechanics (which discusses the harmonic oscillator), Sakurai derives the relation $$Na\left|n\right> = (n-1)a\left|n\right>,$$ and states ...
0answers
108 views

### Derivation of the enhancement of U(1)$_L$ x U(1)$_R$ to SU(2)$_L$ x SU(2)$_R$ at the self-dual radius

Towards the end of the paragraph with the title String theory's added value 2: enhanced non-Abelian symmetries at self-dual radii and abstract C with current algebras of this article, it is explained ...
2answers
144 views

### Multiplicity of eigenvalues of angular momentum

Reading Dirac's Principles of Quantum Mechanics, I encounter in § 36 (Properties of angular momentum) this fragment: This is for a dynamical system with two angular momenta $\mathbf{m}_1$ and ...
1answer
206 views

### About 2+1 dimensional superconformal algebra

I would like to get some help in interpreting the main equation of the superconformal algebra (in $2+1$ dimenions) as stated in equation 3.27 on page 18 of this paper. I am familiar with supersymmetry ...
1answer
160 views

### Symmetrical Spinors and Symmetrical Tensors

In Quantum Electrodynamics by Landau and Lifshiz there is the following: The correspondence between the spinor $\zeta^{\alpha \dot{\beta}}$ and the 4-vector is a particular case of a general ...
0answers
146 views

### Some more questions on conformal spinors of $SO(n,2)$

This is somewhat of a continuation of my previous question. I had stated there that a conformal spinor ($V$) of $SO(n,2)$ can be created by taking a direct sum of two $SO(n-1,1)$ spinors $Q$ and $S$ ...
3answers
393 views

### Why does spin have a discrete spectrum?

Why is it that unlike other quantum properties such as momentum and velocity, which usually are given through (probabilistic) continuous values, spin has a (probabilistic) discrete spectrum?
1answer
164 views

### Grassmann Variables Representation ?

It might be a silly question, but I was never mathematically introduced to the topic. Is there a representation for Grassmann Variables using real field. For example, gamma matrices have a ...
1answer
120 views

### Eigenvalue of $L_z$

In section 4.3 of Griffths' "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics", just below Figure 4.6, the sentence begins Let $\hbar \ell$ be the eigenvalue of $L_z$ at this top rung... Why is this valid? ...
1answer
288 views

### What's the mathematical background to the representation for Gaussian beams?

Background A general optical system (not necessarily having an axis of rotational symmetry) can be represented, for small deviations from a base ray, by the matrix transfer equation,  ...
2answers
949 views

### Proof that the One-Dimensional Simple Harmonic Oscillator is Non-Degenerate?

The standard treatment of the one-dimensional quantum simple harmonic oscillator (SHO) using the raising and lowering operators arrives at the countable basis of eigenstates \$\{\vert n \rangle\}_{n = ...
2answers
102 views

### Why aren't the spin-3/2 fields in the (3/2,0)+(0,3/2) representation?

Why is it that spin-$\frac 32$ fields are usually described to be in the $(\frac 12, \frac 12)\otimes[(\frac 12,0)\oplus(0,\frac 12)]$ representation (Rarita-Schwinger) rather than the \$(\frac ...
1answer
184 views

### Gauge invariance and the form of the Rarita-Schwinger action

in Weinberg Vol. I section 5.9 (in particular p. 251 and surrounding discussion), it is explained that the smallest-dimension field operator for a massless particle of spin-1 takes the form of a field ...
1answer
89 views

### Massive excitations in Conformal Quantum Field Theory

Single particle states in quantum field theory appear as discrete components in the spectrum of the Poincare group's action on the state space (i.e. in the decomposition of the Hilbert space of ...
1answer
111 views

### Majorana-like representation for mixed symmetric states?

Is there a generalization of the Majorana representation of pure symmetric $n$-qubit states to mixed states (made of pure symmetric $n$-qubit)? By Majorana representation I mean the decomposition of ...
5answers
81 views

### Which symmetric pure qudit states can be reached within local operations?

There are two pure symmetric states $|\psi\rangle$ and $|\phi\rangle$ of $n$ qudits. Is there any known set of invariants $\{I_i:i\in\{1,\ldots,k\}\}$ which is equal for both states iff ...
3answers
780 views

### Lie theory, Representations and particle physics

This is a question that has been posted at many different forums, I thought maybe someone here would have a better or more conceptual answer than I have seen before: Why do physicists care about ...
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