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Jonas Larsson

Publications and source records attributed to Jonas Larsson.

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The Lorentz group and the Kronecker product of matrices

The group $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$ of all complex $2\times 2$ matrices with determinant one is closely related to the group $\boldsymbol{\mathcal{L}}_{+}^\uparrow$ of real $4\times 4$ matrices representing the restricted Lorentz transformations. This relation, sometimes called the spinor map, is of fundamental importance in relativistic quantum mechanics and has applications also in general relativity. In this paper we show how the spinor map may be expressed in terms of pure matrix algebra by including the Kronecker product between matrices in the formalism. The so-obtained formula for the spinor map may be manipulated by matrix algebra and used in the study of Lorentz transformations.

physics.class-ph

Electromagnetics from a quasistatic perspective

Quasistatics is introduced so that it fits smoothly into the standard textbook presentation of electrodynamics. The usual path from statics to general electrodynamics is rather short and surprisingly simple. A closer look reveals however that it is not without confusing issues as has been illustrated by many contributions to this Journal. Quasistatic theory is conceptually useful by providing an intermediate level in between statics and the full set of Maxwell's equations. Quasistatics is easier than general electrodynamics and in some ways more similar to statics. It is however, in terms of interesting physics and important applications, far richer than statics. Quasistatics is much used in electromagnetic modeling, an activity that today is possible on a PC and which also has great pedagogical potential. The use of electromagnetic simulations in teaching gives additional support for the importance of quasistatics. This activity may also motivate some change of focus in the presentation of basic electrodynamics.

physics.gen-ph