2j+1 d representation for Poincaré group

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the representation of particle states in the context of the Poincaré group, specifically how to express a state | j m ⟩ in an inertial frame using Lorentz boosts. The participant highlights the challenge of not merely boosting a 4-vector but rather a vector of length 2j+1. Key references include Wigner's work on unitary irreducible representations and Weinberg's volume 1, which detail the construction of these representations starting from a standard momentum in the rest frame and extending to arbitrary momenta.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum angular momentum and the quantum numbers j and m.
  • Familiarity with the Poincaré group and its representations.
  • Knowledge of Lorentz transformations and boosts in quantum mechanics.
  • Basic grasp of the algebra of angular momentum operators, including commutation relations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Wigner's method for constructing unitary irreducible representations of the Poincaré group.
  • Read Weinberg's "Quantum Theory of Fields, Volume 1" for detailed explanations on particle states and boosts.
  • Explore the commutation relations of the Lorentz algebra and their implications for state transformations.
  • Investigate the action of the generators J and K on states | j m; j' m' ⟩ for practical applications in quantum field theory.
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, theoretical physicists, and students of quantum field theory who are interested in the mathematical foundations of particle representations and Lorentz transformations.

terra
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I want to learn how to write down a particle state in some inertial coordinate frame starting from the state ##| j m \rangle ##, in which the particle is in a rest frame.
I know how to rotate this state in the rest frame, but how does one write down a Lorentz boost for it? Note that I am not looking to boost a 4-vector but a vector of length ##2j+1##, so I need a different representation.
On one hand, I know that formally the boost is of the form ##e^{-i \alpha \bar{p} \cdot \bar{K}} ##, where K is the generator for boosts, but it's not helpful as ##K## is never written down.
I'm probably somehow searching with wrong terminology as the representation I'm looking for is elusive.
Edit: I just realized that this might be possible by simply looking at the commutation relations ## K## have to satisfy, since the operators ## J## can be deduced for each ## j##, I think. In any case, There probably wouldn't be an easy form to write down how they operate on ##| j m \rangle## if I try that. Shouldn't it be possible to write the operation as some sort of rotation?
 
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what does the state |jm> represent (what is j and m)?
 
terra said:
I want to learn how to write down a particle state in some inertial coordinate frame starting from the state ##| j m \rangle ##, in which the particle is in a rest frame.
I know how to rotate this state in the rest frame, but how does one write down a Lorentz boost for it? [...]
IF your j,m just refer to the usual quantum numbers for angular momentum, then,... it's hard to answer the question in isolation since these only relate to the ordinary rotational degrees of freedom.

More generally, one constructs unitary irreducible representations of the Poincare group. This procedure (worked out by Wigner a long time ago) involves choosing a "standard" momentum, (corresponding to the rest frame, in the case of a massive field), finding the usual SO(3) reps in that frame, and then completing the picture by boosting to arbitrary momenta. The procedure is explained in Weinberg vol-1, also Maggiore and various other QFT books. Also Sexl & Urbantke.
 
terra said:
I want to learn how to write down a particle state in some inertial coordinate frame starting from the state ##| j m \rangle ##, in which the particle is in a rest frame.
I know how to rotate this state in the rest frame, but how does one write down a Lorentz boost for it? Note that I am not looking to boost a 4-vector but a vector of length ##2j+1##, so I need a different representation.
On one hand, I know that formally the boost is of the form ##e^{-i \alpha \bar{p} \cdot \bar{K}} ##, where K is the generator for boosts, but it's not helpful as ##K## is never written down.
I'm probably somehow searching with wrong terminology as the representation I'm looking for is elusive.
Edit: I just realized that this might be possible by simply looking at the commutation relations ## K## have to satisfy, since the operators ## J## can be deduced for each ## j##, I think. In any case, There probably wouldn't be an easy form to write down how they operate on ##| j m \rangle## if I try that. Shouldn't it be possible to write the operation as some sort of rotation?
The Lorentz algebra consists of (basically) two commuting so(3) algebras:
[J_{i} , J_{j}] = i \epsilon_{ijk} J_{k}, \ \ [K_{i} , K_{j}] = i\epsilon_{ijk}K_{k}, \ \ [J,K]=0.
It follows from this algebra that a finite dimensional irreducible representation space \mathcal{V}^{j j'} can be spanned by a set of (2j+1)(2j'+1) basis vectors |jm;j'm'\rangle where m \in [-j,j], m' \in [-j' ,j']. The action of the generators \vec{J} and \vec{K} on these states can be obtained from the following
(J_{1} \pm i J_{2}) |j,m;j'm' \rangle = \sqrt{(j \mp m)(j \pm m +1)} | j, m \pm 1;j'm' \rangle
J_{3}|jm ; j'm' \rangle = m |jm ; j' m' \rangle ,
and similar ones for the components of the \vec{K} generator.
 
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