In a previous paper we extended the Lorentz group to include a set of Dirac boosts that give a direct correspondence with a set of generators which for spin 1/2 systems are proportional to the Dirac matrices. The group is particularly useful for developing general linear wave equations beyond spin 1/2 systems. In this paper we develop explicit group properties of this extended Lorentz group to obtain group parameters that will be useful for physical calculations for systems which might manifest the group properties. This group is a subgroup of an extended Poincare group, whose structure will be developed in a subsequent paper.
As previously shown, the special relativistic dynamical equation of the Lorentz force type can be regarded as a consequence of a succession of space-time dependent infinitesimal Lorentz boosts and rotations. This insight indicate that the Lorentz-Force-like equation has a fundamental meaning in physics. We show how this result may be spinorially obtained starting out out from the application of an infinitesimal element of SL(2,C) to the individual spinors, which are regarded here as being more fundamental objects than four-vectors. In this way we get a set of new dynamical spinor equations ind…
Finite Lorentz groups acting on 4-dimensional vector spaces coordinatized by finite fields with a prime number of elements are represented as homomorphic images of countable, rational subgroups of the Lorentz group acting on real 4-dimensional space-time. Bounded subsets of the real Lorentz group are retractable with arbitrary accuracy to finite subsets of such rational subgroups. These finite retracts correspond, via local isomorphisms, to well-behaved subsets of Lorentz groups over finite fields. This establishes a relationship of approximation between the real Lorentz group and Lorentz grou…
A realization of a deformed Lorentz algebra is considered and its irreducible representations are found; in the limit $q\to 1$, these are precisely the irreducible representations of the classical Lorentz group.
We show that the Lorentz and the SU(3) groups can be derived from the covariance principle conserving a $Z_3$-graded three-form on a $Z_3$-graded cubic algebra representing quarks endowed with non-standard commutation laws.
Matrix elements of irreducible representations of the Lorentz group are calculated on the basis of complex angular momentum. It is shown that Laplace-Beltrami operators, defined in this basis, give rise to Fuchsian differential equations. An explicit form of the matrix elements of the Lorentz group has been found via the addition theorem for generalized spherical functions. Different expressions of the matrix elements are given in terms of hypergeometric functions both for finite-dimensional and unitary representations of the principal and supplementary series of the Lorentz group.
The Lorentz force equations provide a partial description of the geodesic motion of a charged particle on a four-manifold. Under the hypothesis that Maxwell's equations express symmetry properties of the Ricci tensor, the full electromagnetic connection is determined. From this connection, the fourth equation of the geodesic is derived. The validity of this fourth equation can be determined by studying the decay of charged particles in an electric field. Time will accelerate or decelerate relative to the proper time of a charged particle moving in an electric field. Unstable charged particles …
We present a novel representation of the Lorentz group, the geometric version of which uses "reversions" of a sphere while the algebraic version uses pseudounitary 2x2 matrices over complex numbers and quaternions, and Clifford algebras in general. A remarkably simple formula for relativistic composition of velocities and an accompanying geometric construction follows. The method is derived from the diffeomorphisms of the celestial sphere induced by Lorentz boost.
The Lorentz transformation group $SO(m,n)$ is a group of Lorentz transformations of order $(m,n)$, that is, a group of special linear transformations in a pseudo-Euclidean space of signature $(m,n)$ that leave the pseudo-Euclidean inner product invariant. A parametrization of $SO(m,n)$ is presented, giving rise to the composition law of Lorentz transformations of order $(m,n)$ in terms of parameter composition. The parameter composition, in turn, gives rise to a novel group-like structure called a bi-gyrogroup. Bi-gyrogroups form a natural generalization of gyrogroups where the latter form a n…
Very special relativity (VSR) keeps the main features of special relativity but breaks rotational invariance due to an intrinsic preferred direction. We study the VSR modified extended BRST and anti-BRST symmetry of the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) actions corresponding to the $p=1,2,3$-form gauge theories. Within VSR framework, we discuss the extended BRST invariant and extended BRST and anti-BRST invariant superspace formulations for these BV actions. Here we observe that the VSR modified extended BRST invariant BV actions corresponding to the $p=1,2,3$-form gauge theories can be written manifest…
Some discrete subgroups of the Lorentz group are found using Fedorov's parametrization by means of complex vector-parameter. It is shown that the discrete subgroup of the Lorentz group, which have not fixed points, are contained in boosts along a spatial direction for time-like and space-like vectors and are discrete subgroups of the group SO(1,1), whereas discrete subgroups of isotropic vector are subgroups of SO(1,1)\times E(1,1).
A double covering of the proper orthochronous Lorentz group is understood as a complexification of the special unimodular group of second order (a double covering of the 3-dimensional rotation group). In virtue of such an interpretation the matrix elements of finite-dimensional representations of the Lorentz group are studied in terms of hyperspherical functions. Different forms of the hyperspherical functions related to other special functions (hypergeometric series, generalized spherical functions, Jacobi functions, Appell functions) are considered. It is shown that there is a close relation…
We present a classification, up to isomorphisms, of all the homogeneous spaces of the Lorentz group with dimension lower than six. At the same time, we classify, up to conjugation, all the non-discrete closed subgroup of the Lorentz group and all the subalgebras of the Lorentz Lie algebra. We also study the covariant mappings between some pairs of homogeneous spaces. This exercise is done without any claim of originality, but with the hope of providing a useful instrument for the investigation of the Lorentz transformation properties of some physical quantities.
It is shown that the group of generalized Lorentz transformations serves as relativistic symmetry group of a flat Finslerian event space. Being the generalization of Minkowski space, the Finslerian event space arises from the spontaneous breaking of initial gauge symmetry and from the formation of anisotropic fermion-antifermion condensate. The principle of generalized Lorentz invariance enables exact taking into account the influence of condensate on the dynamics of fundamental fields. In particular, the corresponding generalized Dirac equation turns out to be nonlinear. We have found two non…
We study the quantum group deformation of the Lorentzian EPRL spin-foam model. The construction uses the harmonic analysis on the quantum Lorentz group. We show that the quantum group spin-foam model so defined is free of the infra-red divergence, thus gives a finite partition function on a fixed triangulation. We expect this quantum group spin-foam model is a spin-foam quantization of discrete gravity with a cosmological constant.
As discussed in a previous article, any (real) Lorentz algebra element possess a unique orthogonal decomposition as a sum of two mutually annihilating decomposable Lorentz algebra elements. In this article, this concept is extended to the spin representation of the Lorentz algebra. As an application, a formula for the exponential of the spin representation is obtained, as well as a formula for the spin representation of a proper orthochronous Lorentz transformation.
Group-theoretical analysis of arbitrary polarization devices is performed, based on the theory of the Lorentz group. In effective "non-relativistic" Mueller case, described by 3-dimensional orthogonal matrices, results of the one polarization measurement determine group theoretical parameters within the accuracy of an arbitrary numerical variable. There are derived formulas, defining Muller parameter of the non-relativistic Mueller device uniquely and in explicit form by by the results of two independent polarization measurements. Analysis is extended to Lorentzian optical devices, described b…
It has been almost one hundred years since Einstein formulated his special theory of relativity in 1905. He showed that the basic space-time symmetry is dictated by the Lorentz group. It is shown that this group of Lorentz transformations is not only applicable to special relativity, but also constitutes the scientific language for optical sciences. It is noted that coherent and squeezed states of light are representations of the Lorentz group. The Lorentz group is also the basic underlying language for classical ray optics, including polarization optics, interferometers, the Poincareé sphere,…
In these notes we discuss Lorentz-Finsler metrics, a notion originated in relativity theory, on certain groups of symplectic and contact transformations. Some basic geometric questions arising in this context concerning distance, geodesics and their conjugate points, and existence of a time function, turn out to be related to a variety of subjects including the contact systolic problem, group quasi-morphisms, the Monge-Ampère equation, and a subtle interplay between symplectic rigidity and flexibility. We discuss these interrelations, providing necessary preliminaries, and formulate a number o…
An analogue of the Alexandrov-Zeeman theorem, based on hyperboloid preservation, as opposed to light cone preservation, is provided. This characterizes exactly the Poincaré group, as opposed to the Poincaré group extended by dilations. The hyperbolic analogue, as opposed to the cone-based Alexandrov-Zeeman theorem, is also valid in the case of a single space dimension. An orthochronous version also holds, based on the preservation of forward hyperboloid shells.
We defined a non-commutative algebra representation for quantum systems whose phase space is the cotangent bundle of the Lorentz group, and the non-commutative Fourier transform ensuring the unitary equivalence with the standard group representation. Our construction is from first principles in the sense that all structures are derived from the choice of quantization map for the classical system, the Duflo quantization map.
It is shown that the polar decomposition theorem of operators in (real) Hilbert spaces gives rise to the known decomposition in boost and spatial rotation part of any matrix of the orthochronous proper Lorentz group $SO(1,3)\uparrow$. This result is not trivial because the polar decomposition theorem is referred to a positive defined scalar product while the Lorentz-group decomposition theorem deals with the indefinite Lorentz metric. A generalization to infinite dimensional spaces can be given. It is finally shown that the polar decomposition of $SL(2,\bC)$ is preserved by the covering homomo…
While the Lorentz group serves as the basic language for Einstein's special theory of relativity, it is turning out to be the basic mathematical instrument in optical sciences, particularly in ray optics and polarization optics. The beam transfer matrix, commonly called the $ABCD$ matrix, is shown to be a two-by-two representation of the Lorentz group applicable to the three-dimensional space-time consisting of two space and one time dimensions. The Jones matrix applicable to polarization states turns out to be the two-by-two representations of the Lorentz group applicable to the four-dimensio…
Finite-dimensional representations of the proper orthochronous Lorentz group are studied in terms of spinor representations of the Clifford algebras. The Clifford algebras are understood as an `algebraic covering' of a full system of the finite-dimensional representations of the Lorentz group. Space-time discrete symmetries P, T and PT, represented by fundamental automorphisms of the Clifford algebras, are defined on all the representation spaces. Real, complex, quaternionic and octonionic representations of the Lorentz group are considered. Physical fields of the different types are formulate…
The Wigner-Eckart theorem is a well known result for tensor operators of SU(2) and, more generally, any compact Lie group. This paper generalises it to arbitrary Lie groups, possibly non-compact. The result relies on knowledge of recoupling theory between finite-dimensional and arbitrary admissible representations, which may be infinite-dimensional; the particular case of the Lorentz group will be studied in detail. As an application, the Wigner-Eckart theorem will be used to construct an analogue of the Jordan-Schwinger representation, previously known only for finite-dimensional representati…
In this article we present a new C*-algebraic deformation of the Lorentz group. It is obtained by means of the Rieffel deformation applied to SL(2,C). We give a detailed description of the resulting quantum group in terms of generators - the quantum counterparts of the matrix coefficients of the fundamental representation of SL(2,C). In order to construct the most involved of four generators, we first define it on the quantum Borel subgroup, then on the quantum complement of the Borel subgroup and finally we perform the gluing procedure. In order to classify representations of the C*-algebra o…
The extended BMS group includes supertranslation, dual supertranslation and Lorentz transformations. The generators of these symmetries can be classified according to their parity into "electric" and "magnetic" types. Using a multipole expansion of gravitational sources in the Newman-Penrose formalism, we associate each one of these charges with a particular moment. At leading order, the "electric" and "magnetic" monopole moments correspond respectively to supertranslations and dual supertranslations. At the first subleading order, the "electric" and "magnetic" dipole moments correspond respec…
In these lecture notes we review the isomorphism between the (connected) Lorentz group and the set of conformal transformations of the sphere. More precisely, after establishing the main properties of the Lorentz group, we show that it is isomorphic to the group SL(2,C) of complex 2 by 2 matrices with unit determinant. We then classify conformal transformations of the sphere, define the notion of null infinity in Minkowski space-time, and show that the action of Lorentz transformations on the celestial spheres at null infinity is precisely that of conformal transformations. In particular, we d…
A Snyder model generated by the noncommutative coordinates and Lorentz generators close a Lie algebra. The application of the Heisenberg double construction is investigated for the Snyder coordinates and momenta generators. It leads to the phase space of the Snyder model. Further, the extended Snyder algebra is constructed by using the Lorentz algebra, in one dimension higher. The dual pair of extended Snyder algebra and extended Snyder group is then formulated. Two Heisenberg doubles are considered, one with the conjugate tensorial momenta and another with the Lorentz matrices. Explicit formu…
