arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Stephen G. Low.
We show that the diffeomorphisms of an extended phase space with time, energy, momentum and position degrees of freedom that leave invariant the symplectic 2-form and and a degenerate orthogonal metric dt^2 locally satisfy Hamilton's equations up to the usual canonical transformations on the position-momentum subspace.
The definition of invariant time is fundamental to relativistic symmetry. Invariant time may be formulated as a degenerate orthogonal metric on a flat phase space with time, position, energy and momentum degrees of freedom that is also endowed with a symplectic metric $ω=-d t\wedge d \varepsilon +δ_{i,j}d q^i\wedge d p^j$. For Einstein proper time, the degenerate orthogonal metric is $d τ^{o 2}=d t^2-\frac{1}{c^2}d q^2$ and, in the limit $c\to \infty$, becomes Newtonian absolute time, $d t^2$. We show that the the resulting symmetry group leaving $ω$ and $d t^2$ invariant is the Jacobi group that gives the expected transformations between noninertial states defined by Hamilton's equations. The symmetry group for $ω$ and $d τ^{o 2}$ is the semidirect product of the Lorentz and an abelian group parameterized by the time derivative of the energy-momentum tensor that characterizes noninertial states in special relativity. This leads to the consideration of invariant time based on a nondegenerate Born metric, $d τ^2=d t^2-\frac{1}{c^2}d q^2-\frac{1}{b^2}d p^2+\frac{1}{b^2c^2}d \varepsilon^2$. $b$ is a universal constant with dimensions of force that, with $c,\hbar$ define the dimensional scales of phase space. We determine that the symmetry group for transformations between noninertial states is essentially a noncompact unitary group. It reduces to the noninertial symmetry group for Einstein proper time in the $b\to \infty$ limit and to the noninertial symmetry group for Hamiltonian mechanics in the $b,c\to \infty$ limit. The causal cones in phase space defined by the null surfaces $dτ^2=0$ bound the rate of change of momentum as well as position. Furthermore, spacetime is no longer an invariant subspace of phase space but depends on the noninertial state; there is neither an absolute rest state nor an absolute inertial state that all observers agree on.
Quantum symmetries that leave invariant physical transition probabilities are described by projective representations of Lie groups. The mathematical theory of projected representations for topologically connected Lie groups is reviewed and applied to the inhomogeneous symplectic group ISp(2n). The projective representations are given in terms of the ordinary unitary representations of the central extension of the group with respect to its first homotopy group direct product with its second cohomology group. The second cohomology group of ISp(2n) is the one dimensional abelian group and the central extension turns the 2n dimension abelian normal subgroup of translations of ISp(2n) into the Weyl-Heisenberg group. This is the quantum symmetry origin of the Heisenberg commutation relations that are the Hermitian representation of the Lie algebra of the Weyl-Heisenberg group.
A symmetry in quantum mechanics is described by the projective representations of a Lie symmetry group that transforms between physical quantum states such that the square of the modulus of the states is invariant. The Heisenberg commutation relations, that are fundamental to quantum mechanics, must be valid in all of these physical states. This paper shows that the maximal quantum symmetry group, whose projective representations preserve the Heisenberg commutation relations in this manner, is the inhomogeneous symplectic group. The projective representations are equivalent to the unitary representations of the central extension of the inhomogeneous symplectic group. This centrally extended group is the semidirect product of the cover of the symplectic group and the Weyl-Heisenberg group. Its unitary irreducible representations are computed explicitly using the Mackey representation theorems for semidirect product groups.
The quantum phase leads to projective representations of symmetry groups in quantum mechanics. The projective representations are equivalent to the unitary representations of the central extension of the group. A celebrated example is Wigner's formulation of special relativistic quantum mechanics as the projective representations of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group. However, Wigner's formulation makes no mention of the Weyl-Heisenberg group and the hermitian representation of its algebra that are the Heisenberg commutation relations fundamental to quantum physics. We put aside the relativistic symmetry and show that the maximal quantum symmetry that leaves the Heisenberg commutation relations invariant is the projective representations of the conformally scaled inhomogeneous symplectic group. The Weyl-Heisenberg group and noncommutative structure arises directly because the quantum phase requires projective representations. We then consider the relativistic implications of the quantum phase that lead to the Born line element and the projective representations of an inhomogeneous unitary group that defines a noninertial quantum theory. (Understanding noninertial quantum mechanics is a prelude to understanding quantum gravity.) The remarkable properties of this symmetry and its limits are studied.
The maximal symmetry of a quantum system with Heisenberg commutation relations is given by the projective representations of the automorphism group of the Weyl-Heisenberg algebra. The automorphism group is the central extension of the inhomogeneous symplectic group with a conformal scaling that acts on extended phase space. We determine the subgroup that also leaves invariant a degenerate orthogonal Minkowski line element. This defines noninertial relativistic symmetry transformations that have the expected classical limit as c becomes infinite.
We present a new derivation of Hamilton's equations that shows that they have a symmetry group Sp(2n) *s H(n). Sp(2n) is the symplectic group and H(n) is mathematically a Weyl-Heisenberg group that is parameterized by velocity, force and power where power is the central element of the group. We present a new derivation of Hamilton's equations that shows that they have a symmetry group Sp(2n) *s H(n). The group Sp(2n) is the real noncompact symplectic group and H(n) is mathematically a Weyl-Heisenberg group that is parameterized by velocity, force and power where power is the central element of the group. The homogeneous Galilei group SO(n) *s A(n), where the special orthogonal group SO(n) is parameterized by rotations and the abelian group A(n)is parameterized by velocity, is the inertial subgroup.
Physical states in quantum mechanics are rays in a Hilbert space. Projective representations of a relativity group transform between the quantum physical states that are in the admissible class. The physical observables of position, time, energy and momentum are the Hermitian representation of the Weyl-Heisenberg algebra. We show that there is a consistency condition that requires the relativity group to be a subgroup of the group of automorphisms of the Weyl-Heisenberg algebra. This, together with the requirement of the invariance of classical time, results in the inhomogeneous Hamilton group that is the relativity group for noninertial frames in classical Hamilton's mechanics. The projective representation of a group is equivalent to unitary representations of its central extension. The central extension of the inhomogeneous Hamilton group and its corresponding Casimir invariants are computed. One of the Casimir invariants is a generalized spin that is invariant for noninertial states. It is the familiar inertial Galilean spin with additional terms that may be compared to noninertial experimental results.
The group E(3)=SO(3) *s T(3), that is the homogeneous subgroup of the Galilei group parameterized by rotation angles and velocities, defines the continuous group of transformations between the frames of inertial particles in Newtonian mechanics. We show in this paper that the continuous group of transformations between the frames of noninertial particles following trajectories that satisfy Hamilton's equations is given by the Hamilton group Ha(3)=SO(3) *s H(3) where H(3) is the Weyl-Heisenberg group that is parameterized by rates of change of position, momentum and energy, i.e. velocity, force and power. The group E(3) is the inertial special case of the Hamilton group.
We present the world-line quantisation of a system invariant under the symmetries of reciprocal relativity (pseudo-unitary transformations on ``phase space coordinates" $(x^μ(τ),p^μ(τ))$ which preserve the Minkowski metric and the symplectic form, and global shifts in these coordinates, together with coordinate dependent transformations of an additional compact phase coordinate, $θ(τ)$). The action is that of free motion over the corresponding Weyl-Heisenberg group. Imposition of the first class constraint, the generator of local time reparametrisations, on physical states enforces identification of the world-line cosmological constant with a fixed value of the quadratic Casimir of the quaplectic symmetry group $Q(D-1,1)\cong U(D-1,1)\ltimes H(D)$, the semi-direct product of the pseudo-unitary group with the Weyl-Heisenberg group (the central extension of the global translation group, with central extension associated to the phase variable $θ(τ)$). The spacetime spectrum of physical states is identified. Even though for an appropriate range of values the restriction enforced by the cosmological constant projects out negative norm states from the physical spectrum, leaving over spin zero states only, the mass-squared spectrum is continuous over the entire real line and thus includes a tachyonic branch as well.
Noninertial transformations on time-position-momentum-energy space {t,q,p,e} with invariant Born-Green metric ds^2=-dt^2+dq^2/c^2+(1/b^2)(dp^2-de^2/c^2) and the symplectic metric -de/\dt+dp/\dq are studied. This U(1,3) group of transformations contains the Lorentz group as the inertial special case. In the limit of small forces and velocities, it reduces to the expected Hamilton transformations leaving invariant the symplectic metric and the nonrelativistic line element ds^2=dt^2. The U(1,3) transformations bound relative velocities by c and relative forces by b. Spacetime is no longer an invariant subspace but is relative to noninertial observer frames. Born was lead to the metric by a concept of reciprocity between position and momentum degrees of freedom and for this reason we call this reciprocal relativity. For large b, such effects will almost certainly only manifest in a quantum regime. Wigner showed that special relativistic quantum mechanics follows from the projective representations of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group. Projective representations of a Lie group are equivalent to the unitary reprentations of its central extension. The same method of projective representations of the inhomogeneous U(1,3) group is used to define the quantum theory in the noninertial case. The central extension of the inhomogeneous U(1,3) group is the cover of the quaplectic group Q(1,3)=U(1,3)*s H(4). H(4) is the Weyl-Heisenberg group. A set of second order wave equations results from the representations of the Casimir operators.
Newtonian mechanics has the concept of an absolute inertial rest frame. Special relativity eliminates the absolute rest frame but continues to require the absolute inertial frame. General relativity solves this for gravity by requiring particles to have locally inertial frames on a curved position-time manifold. The problem of the absolute inertial frame for other forces remains. We look again at the transformations of frames on an extended phase space with position, time, energy and momentum degrees of freedom. Under nonrelativistic assumptions, there is an invariant symplectic metric and a line element dt^2. Under special relativistic assumptions the symplectic metric continues to be invariant but the line elements are now -dt^2+dq^2/c^2 and dp^2-de^2/c^2. Max Born conjectured that the line element should be generalized to the pseudo- orthogonal metric -dt^2+dq^2/c^2+ (1/b^2)(dp^2-de^2/c^2). The group leaving these two metrics invariant is the pseudo-unitary group of transformations between noninertial frames. We show that these transformations eliminate the need for an absolute inertial frame by making forces relative and bounded by b and so embodies a relativity that is 'reciprocal' in the sense of Born. The inhomogeneous version of this group is naturally the semidirect product of the pseudo-unitary group with the nonabelian Heisenberg group. This is the quaplectic group. The Heisenberg group itself is the semidirect product of two translation groups. This provides the noncommutative properties of position and momentum and also time and energy that are required for the quantum mechanics that results from considering the unitary representations of the quaplectic group.
The unitary irreducible representations of a Lie group defines the Hilbert space on which the representations act. If this Lie group is a physical quantum dynamical symmetry group, this Hilbert space is identified with the physical quantum state space. The eigenvalue equations for the representation of the set of Casimir invariant operators define the field equations of the system. The Poincare group is the archetypical example with the unitary representations defining the Hilbert space of relativistic particle states and the Klein-Gordon, Dirac, Maxwell equations are obtained from the representations of the Casimir invariant operators eigenvalue equations. The representation of the Heisenberg group does not appear in this derivation. The unitary representations of the Heisenberg group, however, play a fundamental role in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, defining the Hilbert space and the basic momentum and position commutation relations. Viewing the Heisenberg group as a generalized non-abelian "translation" group, we look for a semidirect product group with it as the normal subgroup that also contains the Poincare group. The quaplectic group, that is derived from a simple argument using Born's orthogonal metric hypothesis, contains four Poincare subgroups as well as the normal Heisenberg subgroup. The general set of field equations are derived using the Mackey representation theory for general semidirect product groups.
The unitary irreducible representations of the covering group of the Poincare group P define the framework for much of particle physics on the physical Minkowski space P/L, where L is the Lorentz group. While extraordinarily successful, it does not provide a large enough group of symmetries to encompass observed particles with a SU(3) classification. Born proposed the reciprocity principle that states physics must be invariant under the reciprocity transform that is heuristically {t,e,q,p}->{t,e,p,-q} where {t,e,q,p} are the time, energy, position, and momentum degrees of freedom. This implies that there is reciprocally conjugate relativity principle such that the rates of change of momentum must be bounded by b, where b is a universal constant. The appropriate group of dynamical symmetries that embodies this is the Canonical group C(1,3) = U(1,3) *s H(1,3) and in this theory the non-commuting space Q= C(1,3)/ SU(1,3) is the physical quantum space endowed with a metric that is the second Casimir invariant of the Canonical group, T^2 + E^2 - Q^2/c^2-P^2/b^2 +(2h I/bc)(Y/bc -2) where {T,E,Q,P,I,Y} are the generators of the algebra of Os(1,3). The idea is to study the representations of the Canonical dynamical group using Mackey's theory to determine whether the representations can encompass the spectrum of particle states. The unitary irreducible representations of the Canonical group contain a direct product term that is a representation of U(1,3) that Kalman has studied as a dynamical group for hadrons. The U(1,3) representations contain discrete series that may be decomposed into infinite ladders where the rungs are representations of U(3) (finite dimensional) or C(2) (with degenerate U(1)* SU(2) finite dimensional representations) corresponding to the rest or null frames.
Born proposed a unification of special relativity and quantum mechanics that placed position, time, energy and momentum on equal footing through a reciprocity principle and extended the usual position-time and energy-momentum line elements to this space by combining them through a new fundamental constant. Requiring also invariance of the symplectic metric yields U(1,3) as the invariance group, the inhomogeneous counterpart of which is the canonically relativistic group CR(1,3) = U(1,3) *s H(1,3) where H(1,3) is the Heisenberg Group in 4 dimensions and "*s" is the semidirect product. This is the counterpart in this theory of the Poincare group and reduces in the appropriate limit to the expected special relativity and classical Hamiltonian mechanics transformation equations. This group has the Poincare group as a subgroup and is intrinsically quantum with the Position, Time, Energy and Momentum operators satisfying the Heisenberg algebra. The representations of the algebra are studied and Casimir invariants are computed. Like the Poincare group, it has a little group for a ("massive") rest frame and a null frame. The former is U(3) which clearly contains SU(3) and the latter is Os(2) which contains SU(2)*U(1).