These are lecture notes for a course on the theory of Clifford algebras, with special emphasis on their wide range of applications in mathematics and physics. Clifford algebra is introduced both through a conventional tensor algebra construction (then called geometric algebra) with geometric applications in mind, as well as in an algebraically more general form which is well suited for combinatorics, and for defining and understanding the numerous products and operations of the algebra. The various applications presented include vector space and projective geometry, orthogonal maps and spinors, normed division algebras, as well as simplicial complexes and graph theory.
In this paper, we consider inner automorphisms that leave invariant fixed subspaces of real and complex Clifford algebras -- subspaces of fixed grades and subspaces determined by the reversion and the grade involution. We present groups of elements that define such inner automorphisms and study their properties. Some of these Lie groups can be interpreted as generalizations of Clifford, Lipschitz, and spin groups. We study the corresponding Lie algebras. Some of the results can be reformulated for the case of more general algebras -- graded central simple algebras or graded central simple alge…
The Clifford algebra of a n-dimensional Euclidean vector space provides a general language comprising vectors, complex numbers, quaternions, Grassman algebra, Pauli and Dirac matrices. In this work, we present an introduction to the main ideas of Clifford algebra, with the main goal to develop a package for Clifford algebra calculations for the computer algebra program Mathematica. The Clifford algebra package is thus a powerful tool since it allows the manipulation of all Clifford mathematical objects. The package also provides a visualization tool for elements of Clifford Algebra in the 3-di…
In these lectures, we discuss some well-known facts about Clifford algebras: matrix representations, Cartan's periodicity of 8, double coverings of orthogonal groups by spin groups, Dirac equation in different formalisms, spinors in $n$ dimensions, etc. We also present our point of view on some problems. Namely, we discuss the generalization of the Pauli theorem, the basic ideas of the method of averaging in Clifford algebras, the notion of quaternion type of Clifford algebra elements, the classification of Lie subalgebras of specific type in Clifford algebra, etc.
We formulate a Boolean algebra in the set of idempotents of Clifford algebra Cl($R^{n,n}$) and within this frame we examine different formulations of the Boolean Satisfiability Problem in Clifford algebra. Exploiting the isomorphism between null subspaces of $R^{n,n}$ associated to simple spinors and the orthogonal group O(n) we ultimately give a continuous formulation of the Boolean Satisfiability Problem within this group that opens unexplored perspectives.
We show that complex representations of Clifford algebra can always be reduced either to a real or to a quaternionic algebra depending on signature of complex space thus showing that complex spinors are unavoidably either real Majorana spinors or quaternionic spinors. We use this result to support (1,3) signature for Minkowski space.
The Clifford algebraic formulation of the Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau (DKP) algebras is applied to recast the De Donder-Weyl Hamiltonian (DWH) theory as an algebraic description independent of the matrix representation of the DKP algebra. We show that the DWH equations for antisymmetric fields arise out of the action of the DKP algebra on certain invariant subspaces of the Clifford algebra which carry the representations of the fields. The matrix representation-free formula for the bracket associated with the DKP form of the DWH equations is also derived. This bracket satisfies a generalization of th…
We present a method of computing elements of spin groups in the case of arbitrary dimension. This method generalizes Hestenes method for the case of dimension 4. We use the method of averaging in Clifford's geometric algebra previously proposed by the author. We present explicit formulas for elements of spin group that correspond to the elements of orthogonal groups as two-sheeted covering. These formulas allow us to compute rotors, which connect two different frames related by a rotation in geometric algebra of arbitrary dimension.
We give an algebraic formulation based on Clifford algebras and algebraic spinors for quantum information. In this context, logic gates and concepts such as chirality, charge conjugation, parity and time reversal are introduced and explored in connection with states of qubits. Supersymmetry and M-superalgebra are also analysed with our formalism. Specifically we use extensively the algebras $Cl_{3,0}$ and $Cl_{1,3}$ as well as tensor products of Clifford algebras.
We deduce from a determinant identity on quantum transfer matrices of generalized quantum integrable spin chain model their generating functions. We construct the isomorphism of Clifford algebra modules of sequences of transfer matrices and the boson space of symmetric functions. As an application, tau-functions of transfer matrices immediately arise from classical tau-functions of symmetric functions.
The Dunkl--Dirac symmetry algebra is an associative subalgebra of the tensor product of a Clifford algebra and the faithful polynomial representation of a rational Cherednik algebra. In previous work, the finite-dimensional representations of the Dunkl--Dirac symmetry algebra in three dimensions linked with a dihedral group were given. We give here the necessary results to proceed to the same construction when the Clifford algebra in the tensor product has negative signature.
Real Clifford algebras for arbitrary number of space and time dimensions as well as their representations in terms of spinors are reviewed and discussed. The Clifford algebras are classified in terms of isomorphic matrix algebras of real, complex or quaternionic type. Spinors are defined as elements of minimal or quasi-minimal left ideals within the Clifford algebra and as representations of the pin and spin groups. Two types of Dirac adjoint spinors are introduced carefully. The relation between mathematical structures and applications to describe relativistic fermions is emphasized throughou…
An Adinkra is a graph from the study of supersymmetry in particle physics, but it can be adapted to study Clifford algebra representations. The graph in this context is called a Cliffordinkra, and puts some standard ideas in Clifford algebra representations in a geometric and visual context. In the past few years there have been developments in Adinkras that have shown how they are connected to error correcting codes, algebraic topology, algebraic geometry, and combinatorics. These connections also arise for Cliffordinkras. This paper introduces Cliffordinkras and describes the relationship to…
