Tagged Questions

4
votes
2answers
58 views

How to directly calculate the infinitesimal generator of SU(2)

We commonly investigate the properties of SU(2) on the basis of SO(3). However, I want to directly calculte the infinitesimal generator of SU(2) according to the definition $$X_{i}=\frac{\partial ...
4
votes
2answers
249 views

Definition of Casimir operator and its properties

I'm not sure which is the exact definition of a Casimir operator. In some texts it is defined as the product of generators of the form: $$X^2=\sum X_iX^i$$ But in other parts it is defined as an ...
3
votes
1answer
91 views

Different representations of the Lorentz algebra

I've found many definitions of Lorentz generators that satisfy the Lorentz algebra: ...
4
votes
0answers
75 views

Is the search for a Simple-group-based Electro-Weak theory over?

Just wondering: We know that, in its current form of the $SU(2)_L\times U(1)$, the electroweak theroy rides a wave of huge success. However, is it not possible that the correct simple group ...
3
votes
0answers
62 views

Finding symmetry of a part of an equation, given the group transformation property of another part

I am reading this paper on Dyons and Duality in $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-symmetric gauge theory. The author finds the zero modes or a dirac equation obtained by considering first order perturbations to ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views

Isometry group from information about the center of the group

I am reading this paper on Dyons and Duality in $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-symmetric gauge theory. The author finds the zero modes or a dirac equation obtained by considering first order perturbations to ...
15
votes
4answers
493 views

Elegant approaches to quantum field theory

I have been reading Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Development by L. Ballentine. I like the way everything is deduced starting from symmetry principles. I was wondering if anyone familiar with the book ...
1
vote
1answer
114 views

Action of the Lorentz group on scalar fields

The Lorentz groups act on the scalar fields as: $\phi'(x)=\phi(\Lambda^{-1} x)$ The conditions for an action of a group on a set are that the identity does nothing and that $(g_1g_2)s=g_1(g_2s)$. ...
8
votes
1answer
280 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
239 views

Number of Components of a Spinor

I'm trying to develop my understanding of spinors. In quantum field theory I've learned that a spinor is a 4 component complex vector field on Minkowski space which transforms under the chiral ...
4
votes
2answers
206 views

Calculating the commutator of Pauli-Lubanski operator and generators of Lorentz group

The Pauli-Lubanski operator is defined as $${W^\alpha } = \frac{1}{2}{\varepsilon ^{\alpha \beta \mu \nu }}{P_\beta}{M_{\mu \nu }},\qquad ({\varepsilon ^{0123}} = + 1,\;{\varepsilon _{0123}} = - ...
4
votes
3answers
373 views

Must all symmetries have consequences?

Must all symmetries have consequences? We know that transnational invariance, for example, leads to momentum conservation, etc, cf. Noether's Theorem. Is it possible for a theory or a model to have ...
1
vote
0answers
40 views

How to obtain deconfined theory from an s-confined N=1 susy gauge theory?

Is there a systematic procedure for obtaining a deconfined theory from an s-confining theory (as defined in hep-th/9610139 for example)?
3
votes
1answer
715 views

How do I construct the $SU(2)$ representation of the Lorentz Group using $SU(2)\times SU(2)\sim SO(3,1)$ ?

This question is based on problem II.3.1 in Anthony Zee's book Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell (I'm reading this for fun- it isn't a homework problem.) Show, by explicit calculation, that ...
2
votes
1answer
71 views

Charge of a field under the action of a group

What does it mean for a field (say, $\phi$) to have a charge (say, $Q$) under the action of a group (say, $U(1)$)?
3
votes
1answer
146 views

An odd relation with the epsilon/delta invariant tensors of SO(3)

The rotation group SO(3) can be viewed as the group that preserves our old friends the delta tensor $\delta^{ab}$ and $\epsilon^{abc}$ (the totally antisymmetric tensor). In equations, this says: ...
8
votes
2answers
131 views

Wilson Loops in Chern-Simons theory with non-compact gauge groups

VEVs of Wilson loops in Chern-Simons theory with compact gauge groups give us colored Jones, HOMFLY and Kauffman polynomials. I have not seen the computation for Wilson loops in Chern-Simons theory ...
3
votes
2answers
427 views

Is the Lorentz group compact (and if not, is U(1)?)

A common statement in any quantum field theory text is that only compact groups have finite-dimensional representations, and that the Lorentz group is not compact, since it is parameterised by $0\leq ...
16
votes
2answers
88 views

Can symmetry generators be used for quantization?

Take the Poincaré group for example. The conservation of rest-mass $m_0$ is generated by the invariance with respect to $p^2 = -\partial_\mu\partial^\mu$. Now if one simply claims The state where ...