Relativity, Groups, Particles

Relativity, Groups, Particles PDF Author: Roman U. Sexl
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3709162343
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
This textbook bridges the gap between the level of introductory courses on mechanics and electrodynamics and the level of application in high energy physics and quantum field theory. After explaining the postulates that lead to the Lorentz transformation and after going through the main points special relativity has to make in classical mechanics and electrodynamics, the authors gradually lead the reader up to a more abstract point of view on relativistic symmetry - illustrated by physical examples - until finally motivating and developing Wigner's classification of the unitary irreducible representations of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group. Numerous historical and mathematical asides contribute to the conceptual clarification.

Relativity, Groups, Particles

Relativity, Groups, Particles PDF Author: Roman U. Sexl
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3709162343
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 388

Get Book Here

Book Description
This textbook bridges the gap between the level of introductory courses on mechanics and electrodynamics and the level of application in high energy physics and quantum field theory. After explaining the postulates that lead to the Lorentz transformation and after going through the main points special relativity has to make in classical mechanics and electrodynamics, the authors gradually lead the reader up to a more abstract point of view on relativistic symmetry - illustrated by physical examples - until finally motivating and developing Wigner's classification of the unitary irreducible representations of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group. Numerous historical and mathematical asides contribute to the conceptual clarification.

Symmetries and Group Theory in Particle Physics

Symmetries and Group Theory in Particle Physics PDF Author: Giovanni Costa
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3642154824
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
Symmetries, coupled with the mathematical concept of group theory, are an essential conceptual backbone in the formulation of quantum field theories capable of describing the world of elementary particles. This primer is an introduction to and survey of the underlying concepts and structures needed in order to understand and handle these powerful tools. Specifically, in Part I of the book the symmetries and related group theoretical structures of the Minkowskian space-time manifold are analyzed, while Part II examines the internal symmetries and their related unitary groups, where the interactions between fundamental particles are encoded as we know them from the present standard model of particle physics. This book, based on several courses given by the authors, addresses advanced graduate students and non-specialist researchers wishing to enter active research in the field, and having a working knowledge of classical field theory and relativistic quantum mechanics. Numerous end-of-chapter problems and their solutions will facilitate the use of this book as self-study guide or as course book for topical lectures.

Lie Algebras In Particle Physics

Lie Algebras In Particle Physics PDF Author: Howard Georgi
Publisher: Westview Press
ISBN: 0738202339
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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Book Description
An exciting new edition of a classic text

Applications of the Theory of Groups in Mechanics and Physics

Applications of the Theory of Groups in Mechanics and Physics PDF Author: Petre P. Teodorescu
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9781402020469
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 466

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Book Description
The notion of group is fundamental in our days, not only in mathematics, but also in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, theory of elementary particles, etc. This notion has developed during a century and this development is connected with the names of great mathematicians as E. Galois, A. L. Cauchy, C. F. Gauss, W. R. Hamilton, C. Jordan, S. Lie, E. Cartan, H. Weyl, E. Wigner, and of many others. In mathematics, as in other sciences, the simple and fertile ideas make their way with difficulty and slowly; however, this long history would have been of a minor interest, had the notion of group remained connected only with rather restricted domains of mathematics, those in which it occurred at the beginning. But at present, groups have invaded almost all mathematical disciplines, mechanics, the largest part of physics, of chemistry, etc. We may say, without exaggeration, that this is the most important idea that occurred in mathematics since the invention of infinitesimal calculus; indeed, the notion of group expresses, in a precise and operational form, the vague and universal ideas of regularity and symmetry. The notion of group led to a profound understanding of the character of the laws which govern natural phenomena, permitting to formulate new laws, correcting certain inadequate formulations and providing unitary and non contradictory formulations for the investigated phenomena.

Special Relativity in General Frames

Special Relativity in General Frames PDF Author: Éric Gourgoulhon
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642372767
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 800

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Book Description
Special relativity is the basis of many fields in modern physics: particle physics, quantum field theory, high-energy astrophysics, etc. This theory is presented here by adopting a four-dimensional point of view from the start. An outstanding feature of the book is that it doesn’t restrict itself to inertial frames but considers accelerated and rotating observers. It is thus possible to treat physical effects such as the Thomas precession or the Sagnac effect in a simple yet precise manner. In the final chapters, more advanced topics like tensorial fields in spacetime, exterior calculus and relativistic hydrodynamics are addressed. In the last, brief chapter the author gives a preview of gravity and shows where it becomes incompatible with Minkowsky spacetime. Well illustrated and enriched by many historical notes, this book also presents many applications of special relativity, ranging from particle physics (accelerators, particle collisions, quark-gluon plasma) to astrophysics (relativistic jets, active galactic nuclei), and including practical applications (Sagnac gyrometers, synchrotron radiation, GPS). In addition, the book provides some mathematical developments, such as the detailed analysis of the Lorentz group and its Lie algebra. The book is suitable for students in the third year of a physics degree or on a masters course, as well as researchers and any reader interested in relativity. Thanks to the geometric approach adopted, this book should also be beneficial for the study of general relativity. “A modern presentation of special relativity must put forward its essential structures, before illustrating them using concrete applications to specific dynamical problems. Such is the challenge (so successfully met!) of the beautiful book by Éric Gourgoulhon.” (excerpt from the Foreword by Thibault Damour)

Theory and Applications of the Poincaré Group

Theory and Applications of the Poincaré Group PDF Author: Young Suh Kim
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400945582
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 346

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Book Description
Special relativity and quantum mechanics, formulated early in the twentieth century, are the two most important scientific languages and are likely to remain so for many years to come. In the 1920's, when quantum mechanics was developed, the most pressing theoretical problem was how to make it consistent with special relativity. In the 1980's, this is still the most pressing problem. The only difference is that the situation is more urgent now than before, because of the significant quantity of experimental data which need to be explained in terms of both quantum mechanics and special relativity. In unifying the concepts and algorithms of quantum mechanics and special relativity, it is important to realize that the underlying scientific language for both disciplines is that of group theory. The role of group theory in quantum mechanics is well known. The same is true for special relativity. Therefore, the most effective approach to the problem of unifying these two important theories is to develop a group theory which can accommodate both special relativity and quantum mechanics. As is well known, Eugene P. Wigner is one of the pioneers in developing group theoretical approaches to relativistic quantum mechanics. His 1939 paper on the inhomogeneous Lorentz group laid the foundation for this important research line. It is generally agreed that this paper was somewhat ahead of its time in 1939, and that contemporary physicists must continue to make real efforts to appreciate fully the content of this classic work.

From Special Relativity to Feynman Diagrams

From Special Relativity to Feynman Diagrams PDF Author: Riccardo D'Auria
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319220144
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 609

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Book Description
This book, now in its second edition, provides an introductory course on theoretical particle physics with the aim of filling the gap that exists between basic courses of classical and quantum mechanics and advanced courses of (relativistic) quantum mechanics and field theory. After a concise but comprehensive introduction to special relativity, key aspects of relativistic dynamics are covered and some elementary concepts of general relativity introduced. Basics of the theory of groups and Lie algebras are explained, with discussion of the group of rotations and the Lorentz and Poincaré groups. In addition, a concise account of representation theory and of tensor calculus is provided. Quantization of the electromagnetic field in the radiation range is fully discussed. The essentials of the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms are reviewed, proceeding from systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom and extending the discussion to fields. The final four chapters are devoted to development of the quantum field theory, ultimately introducing the graphical description of interaction processes by means of Feynman diagrams. The book will be of value for students seeking to understand the main concepts that form the basis of contemporary theoretical particle physics and also for engineers and lecturers. An Appendix on some special relativity effects is added.

A Mathematical Approach to Special Relativity

A Mathematical Approach to Special Relativity PDF Author: Ahmad Shariati
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0323997090
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
A Mathematical Approach to Special Relativity introduces the mathematical formalisms of special and general relativity. Developed from the author's experience teaching physics to students across all levels, the valuable resource introduces key concepts, building in complexity and using increasingly advanced mathematical tools as it progresses. Without assuming a background in calculus, the text begins with symmetry, before delving more deeply into Galilean relativity. Throughout, the book provides examples and useful "Guides to the Literature." This unique text emphasizes the experimental consequences and verifications of the underpinning theory in order to provide students with a solid foundation in this key area. - Based on the professor's 25+ years of experience teaching physics students at every level - Covers key topics in special relativity, including some group theory, as well as an introduction to general relativity and basic differential geometry - Contains numerous worked examples and "Guides to the Literature" throughout the text

Relativity, Symmetry and the Structure of the Quantum Theory

Relativity, Symmetry and the Structure of the Quantum Theory PDF Author: William H. Klink
Publisher: Morgan & Claypool Publishers
ISBN: 1627056254
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 111

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Book Description
Quantum theory is one of the most successful of all physical theories. Our everyday world is dominated by devices that function because of knowledge of the quantum world. Yet many, physicists and non-physicists alike, find the theory which explains the beh

Symmetry and the Standard Model

Symmetry and the Standard Model PDF Author: Matthew Robinson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441982671
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 343

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Book Description
While theoretical particle physics is an extraordinarily fascinating field, the incredibly fast pace at which it moves along, combined with the huge amount of background information necessary to perform cutting edge research, poses a formidable challenge for graduate students. This book represents the first in a series designed to assist students in the process of transitioning from coursework to research in particle physics. Rather than reading literally dozens of physics and mathematics texts, trying to assimilate the countless ideas, translate notations and perspectives, and see how it all fits together to get a holistic understanding, this series provides a detailed overview of the major mathematical and physical ideas in theoretical particle physics. Ultimately the ideas will be presented in a unified, consistent, holistic picture, where each topic is built firmly on what has come before, and all topics are related in a clear and intuitive way. This introductory text on quantum field theory and particle physics provides both a self-contained and complete introduction to not only the necessary physical ideas, but also a complete introduction to the necessary mathematical tools. Assuming minimal knowledge of undergraduate physics and mathematics, this book lays both the mathematical and physical groundwork with clear, intuitive explanations and plenty of examples. The book then continues with an exposition of the Standard Model of Particle Physics, the theory that currently seems to explain the universe apart from gravity. Furthermore, this book was written as a primer for the more advanced mathematical and physical ideas to come later in this series.