2j+1 d representation for Poincaré group

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on how to express a particle state in an inertial coordinate frame starting from the state ##| j m \rangle##, particularly in the context of Lorentz boosts and the representation of the Poincaré group. Participants explore the mathematical framework and representation theory related to quantum states and their transformations under boosts and rotations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to understand how to write down a Lorentz boost for a state represented by a vector of length ##2j+1##, noting that they are not looking to boost a 4-vector.
  • Another participant questions the meaning of the quantum numbers j and m in the context of the state ##| j m \rangle##.
  • A different participant explains that constructing unitary irreducible representations of the Poincaré group involves choosing a standard momentum and finding the usual SO(3) representations, referencing Wigner's work and various quantum field theory texts.
  • One participant elaborates on the Lorentz algebra, stating that it consists of two commuting so(3) algebras and describes the action of the generators on the states, providing specific commutation relations and transformation rules.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the terminology and approach to representing the state under Lorentz transformations. There is no consensus on a definitive method for expressing the boost operation on the state ##| j m \rangle##, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best way to proceed.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the potential ambiguity in the definitions of the quantum numbers j and m, as well as the complexity of the representation theory involved. The discussion does not resolve how the generators operate on the state ##| j m \rangle## or the specific form of the boost operation.

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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