What is the best introduction to representations of elementary particles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around identifying good introductory resources for understanding representations of elementary particles, particularly in the context of group theory and its applications in physics. Participants share various books and notes that they find helpful for this topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for recommendations on introductions to representations of elementary particles.
  • Another participant suggests Hammermesh's "Group Theory and its Application to Physical Problems" as a resource focused on group representations.
  • Howard Georgi's "Lie Algebras in Particle Physics" is mentioned as another comprehensive but challenging resource.
  • A participant shares a link to lecture notes from the University of Hannover, highlighting their usefulness and clarity in explaining group theory applications.
  • Another participant expresses appreciation for the notes, noting a new understanding of group multiplication versus conjugation.
  • Frappat, Sciarrino, and Sorba's "Dictionary on Lie Algebras and Superalgebras" is recommended for its extensive coverage of topics through representations.
  • A participant recalls using Lichtenberg's "Unitary Symmetry and Elementary Particles" in the 1980s as an introductory text, though they are unsure of its current availability.
  • Additional notes from Indiana University are shared, specifically on gauge theory, which include a clear exposition of representation theory using Young tableaux.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of the recommended resources, but there is no consensus on a single best introduction, as multiple titles and notes are suggested, reflecting a range of preferences and experiences.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the recommended books and notes are not quick reads, indicating a potential limitation for those seeking more accessible introductions. The discussion does not resolve which resource is the most suitable for beginners.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and researchers interested in learning about group theory and its applications to particle physics, particularly those seeking introductory materials on the subject.

Alamino
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Does anyone know of any and can comment a good introduction to representaions of elementary particles?
 
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Do you mean group representaions? There's a Dover book by Hammermesh, "Group Theory and its Application to Physical Problems" that takes you through the calculation of the representations.
 
Another title is Howard Georgi's Lie Algebras in Particle Physics. Neither of these books are a quick read, but they are the best intros available.
 
Boy are those good notes! I've printed them off, and they're going into a binder for reference. He explains! Tells you why the group multiplication is less useful than conjugation. I've known about those for 50 years and never saw that before.
 
Yes, great notes! I gave a look at Georgi's book and it's very good too. I'll try to find the other in the library.

Thanks for the help.
 
Another book I forgot to mention is Frappat, Sciarrino, and Sorba's Dictionary on Lie Algebras and Superalgebras. The topics are enumerated largely through representations - one of the best books on Lie theory I have come across.
 
Back in the early 1980s I worked my way through an introductory book on the topic, Lichtenberg's Unitary Symmetry and Elementary Particles. Whether it is stil in print I wouldn't know.
 
That sounds like a good one. Here is another set of notes:

http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~sg/p641.html

"Notes on gauge theory. Probably covered last semester, but may be useful for HW 1"

is the file that covers representation theory most explicitly. It has the clearest exposition of decomposing products of reps into sums using Young tableaux that I have seen anywhere,
 

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