CPT Symmetry: Proving the Theorem & Lorentz Transformation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the CPT theorem, which asserts that any local relativistic quantum field theory (QFT) with a stable ground state is symmetric under CPT transformations. It highlights that while CPT symmetry is strictly correct, PT symmetry's validity is tied to Lorentz transformations. The conversation references Steven Weinberg's "Quantum Theory of Fields, vol. 1" for proofs involving fields of arbitrary spin and emphasizes the significance of Poincare invariance in the context of special relativity. The discussion also notes that the Standard Model exhibits violations of P, CP, and T symmetries, confirmed by various experimental results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of CPT symmetry in quantum field theory
  • Familiarity with Poincare invariance and the Lorentz group SO(1,3)↑
  • Knowledge of the Standard Model of particle physics
  • Basic concepts of quantum field theory and stable ground states
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the proofs of CPT symmetry in Weinberg's "Quantum Theory of Fields, vol. 1"
  • Explore the implications of Poincare invariance in quantum field theories
  • Investigate experimental tests of CP violation, such as the Wu experiment and neutral-kaon system studies
  • Learn about the weak interaction's role in symmetry violations within the Standard Model
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, quantum field theorists, and students of particle physics seeking to deepen their understanding of symmetries in quantum mechanics and their experimental validations.

fxdung
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Some books prove CPT theorem basing on scalars,vectors, tensors building from 4-spinor of fermion and gamma matrices.Why can they do that?Because a general Lagrangian can contain bose scalar,bose vector,bose tensor fields and spinor fields.
The CPT theorem says CPT symmetry is a strictly correct.What about the PT symmetry,is it also strictly correct because it is Lorentz transformation?
 
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In Weinberg, Quantum Theory of Fields, vol. 1 you find a proof for fields of arbitrary spin.

Then you should note that Lorentz invariance (or better Poincare) invariance refers to the continuous part of the Poincare group connected with the identity, i.e., the semidirect product of space-time translations with the proper orthochronous Lorentz group ##\mathrm{SO}(1,3)^{\uparrow}##. Poincare invariance just dictates invariance under this group due to the spacetime structure of special relativity. There's no need a priori that the theory should be invariant under any of the discrete transformations ##P##, ##T##, and ##C##. The ##CPT## theorem, however, tells you that any local relativistic QFT with a stable ground state (Hamiltonian bounded from below) is also automatically symmetric under ##CPT##. In the Standard Model all other combinations are violated by the weak interaction, and this is experimentelly checked for each of them, i.e., nature is not symmetric under each of the transformations ##P## (e.g., Wu experiment), ##CP## (neutral-kaon system, Cronin&Fitch), ##T## (I forgot who did the independent experimental proof on some B decays first; it was some recent LHC experiment).
 
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