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advanced_tools:group_theory:lorentz_group [2018/04/06 15:56]
jakobadmin [Concrete]
advanced_tools:group_theory:lorentz_group [2023/05/20 19:32] (current)
edi [Abstract]
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 **Definition of the Lorentz transformations** **Definition of the Lorentz transformations**
  
-It follows from the postulates of [[theories:​special_relativity|special relativity]] that+It follows from the postulates of [[models:​special_relativity|special relativity]] that
 $d s^2 = \eta^{\mu \nu} dx_\mu dx_\nu$ stays exactly the same in all inertial frames of reference: $d s^2 = \eta^{\mu \nu} dx_\mu dx_\nu$ stays exactly the same in all inertial frames of reference:
 \begin{equation} ds'^2 = dx'​_\mu dx'​_\nu \eta^{\mu\nu} = ds^2 = dx_\mu dx_\nu \eta^{\mu\nu} \, ,​\end{equation} \begin{equation} ds'^2 = dx'​_\mu dx'​_\nu \eta^{\mu\nu} = ds^2 = dx_\mu dx_\nu \eta^{\mu\nu} \, ,​\end{equation}
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 \[ \Lambda_{\mathrm{rot }}= \begin{pmatrix} 1 &  \\ & R_{3 \times 3} \end{pmatrix} \[ \Lambda_{\mathrm{rot }}= \begin{pmatrix} 1 &  \\ & R_{3 \times 3} \end{pmatrix}
 \] \]
-with the usual rotation matrices ​ $R_{3 \times 3}$.+with the usual rotation matrices ​ $R_{3 \times 3}$
 + 
 +\begin{eqnarray} 
 +& & R_x(\phi) =  
 +\begin{pmatrix} 
 +1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \cos\phi & \sin\phi \\ 0 & -\sin\phi & \cos\phi 
 +\end{pmatrix} \label{eq:​rotx} \\ 
 +& & R_y(\psi) =  
 +\begin{pmatrix} 
 +\cos \psi & 0 & -\sin\psi \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ \sin\psi & 0 & \cos\psi 
 +\end{pmatrix} \label{eq:​roty} \\ 
 +& & R_z(\theta) =  
 +\begin{pmatrix} 
 +\cos \theta & \sin \theta & 0 \\-\sin\theta & \cos\theta & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 
 +\end{pmatrix} \label{eq:​rotz} 
 +\end{eqnarray}
  
 __Boosts__ __Boosts__
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 See also, section 5.5 at page 79 in http://​www.math.columbia.edu/​~woit/​QM/​qmbook.pdf See also, section 5.5 at page 79 in http://​www.math.columbia.edu/​~woit/​QM/​qmbook.pdf
  </​WRAP>​  </​WRAP>​
 +
 +----
 +
 +**Graphical Summary**
 +
 +The picture below shows the weight diagrams of some important irreducible representations of the (double cover of the) Lorentz group (right) and, for comparison, some irreducible representations of $SU(2)$ (left). For a more detailed explanation of this picture see [[https://​esackinger.wordpress.com/​blog/​lie-groups-and-their-representations/#​lorentz_irreps|Fun with Symmetry]].
 +
 +[{{ :​advanced_tools:​group_theory:​representation_theory:​lorentz_irreps.jpg?​nolink }}]
 +
 +The following diagram illustrates the relationship between the groups of rotation $O(3)$ and $O(4)$, in 3D and 4D Euclidean space, respectively,​ and the Lorentz group $O(1,3)$. For a more detailed explanation of this diagram see [[https://​esackinger.wordpress.com/​blog/​lie-groups-and-their-representations/#​rotation_to_lorentz|Fun with Symmetry]].
 +
 +[{{ :​advanced_tools:​group_theory:​representation_theory:​rotation_to_lorentz.jpg?​nolink }}]
 +
 +
 <tabbox Why is it interesting?> ​ <tabbox Why is it interesting?> ​
  
advanced_tools/group_theory/lorentz_group.1523022979.txt.gz · Last modified: 2018/04/06 13:56 (external edit)