Decomposition of SU(3) and particles

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the decomposition of the SU(3) algebra, specifically the representation of particles within the framework of quantum chromodynamics. It establishes that the Hilbert space for the 3⊗3 tensor product decomposes into 8⊕1, indicating two invariant subspaces. For baryons, the decomposition is 3⊗3⊗3=10⊕8⊕8⊕1. The conversation highlights the categorization of mesons into two multiplets (8 particles and 1 singlet) and baryons into one multiplet of 10 particles, one of 8 particles, and one singlet, raising questions about the correspondence between these groups and the Hilbert spaces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of SU(3) algebra and its representations
  • Familiarity with quantum chromodynamics (QCD)
  • Knowledge of tensor products in quantum mechanics
  • Basic concepts of particle physics, including mesons and baryons
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the decomposition of SU(3) representations in detail
  • Explore the properties of baryons and mesons in quantum chromodynamics
  • Learn about the role of Cartan generators in particle classification
  • Investigate the significance of J^{P} quantum numbers in particle physics
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Particle physicists, theoretical physicists, and students studying quantum chromodynamics and the classification of fundamental particles.

Roumpedakis
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As we know the algebra of SU(3) consist of two Cartan generators and 6 raising and lowering operators. We define the eigenstates of the Cartan operators as u,d,s, correspoding to the three lightest quarks.
Now when we study the 3\otimes 3 tensor product we can show that the Hilbert space of these states decompose as
3\otimes 3 = 8\oplus 1
Which means that we can divide this Hilbert into two invariant subspaces.
And similar for baryons
3\otimes 3\otimes 3=10\oplus 8 \oplus 8\oplus 1
My question is following. We can categorize the mesons in two multiplets of 8 particles and 1 singlet, and the baryons in one multiplet of 10 particles, one of 8 particles and one singlet. So is not obvious to me which is the correspondence between these groups of particles and the above Hilbert spaces. If the decomposition of 3\otimes 3 has one 8-plet why we have two mesons diagrams and for baryons why we have only one 8-plet of particles?
 
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Look at the J^{P} quantum numbers. Mesons have 0^{-} and 1^{-} octets; the vector meson octet (1^{-}) carries a single space-time index; transforms as a Lotentz vector hence the name “vector meson”. In terms the SU_{f}(3) quark fields, the vector mesons have the following combinations
\{8\}_{\mu}^{i} \sim \bar{q}(x) \lambda^{i}\gamma_{\mu} q(x),
\{1\}_{\mu} \sim \bar{q}(x)\gamma_{\mu}q(x),

compared with pseudoscalar mesons (0^{-}) singlet and octet;
\{1\} \sim \bar{q}(x)q(x) = \bar{u}u + \bar{d}d + \bar{s}s,
\{8\}^{rs} \sim \bar{q}(x)R_{(a)}( \lambda ) q(x), \ \ r,s = 1,2,3
where
<br /> R_{(a)}(\lambda) = \lambda^{3}, \lambda^{8}, (\lambda^{i} \pm \lambda^{i+1}); i = 1,4,6<br />

Sam
 
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