How is unit norm axis rotation represented and derived in R3?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the representation and derivation of unit norm axis rotation in R3, focusing on the mathematical formulation of rotation matrices, the use of canonical bases, and the construction of unitary matrices from generators. Participants explore various aspects of these representations, including the relationship between infinitesimal rotations and Euler angles.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant discusses the derivation of rotation matrices and their relation to infinitesimal rotations and Euler angles, expressing confusion about specific equations and their derivation.
  • Another participant suggests that to obtain a 2D representation, one must use the representation with ##2=2j+1##, where ##j=1/2##, and describes the canonical basis in this context.
  • There is a repeated emphasis on constructing matrices based on how operators ##L_3## and ##L_{\pm}## act on the canonical basis, leading to the computation of operators ##A_i##.
  • A participant seeks clarification on the final step of constructing the unitary matrix from the obtained operators ##A_i##, indicating a lack of familiarity with representation theory.
  • Another participant references a theorem that classifies finite-dimensional representations of the generators ##\{L_\pm ,L_3\}##, providing a link for further reading.
  • One participant explains that given the generators ##A_i##, the elements of the group can be constructed using the exponential of a linear combination of these generators, noting the complexity of evaluating this expression.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and confusion regarding the derivation and application of rotation representations. There is no consensus on the clarity of the final steps in constructing unitary matrices or the interpretation of specific equations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate confusion about the derivation of specific equations and the application of canonical bases, suggesting that there may be missing assumptions or unresolved mathematical steps in the discussion.

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I am having trouble to understand the reasoning that the author follows in these pages.
A rotation about an unit norm axis in R3
1624685734661.png
can be given by the following, that gives basically the elements of the matrix of the rotation:
1624685272932.png

With these expression, we can obtain the three infinesimal rotations that corresponds to the three euler angles by first writing the three individuals matrix of these rotations, and then, taking the derivative:
1624685381104.png

Now, the autor gives the algebra regardind these transformations and talk about its representation in Rn
1624685431887.png

It is said that the representation A have the same algebra that g. And so he starts to talk about the canonical basis to represent as a way to write the representations.

1624685476549.png

After that, he returns to the beginning and says that
1624685560659.png

The relatios six and seven he says is that:

1624685593061.png

Now, i am extremelly confused about all this thing. More preciselly, i can't understand how 1.29 was obtained. It was used the A representation? How do he uses it? There is something to do with the canonical basis?
 
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Since you want to obtain a 2d representation, you need to use the representation with ##2=2j+1## i.e. ##j=1/2##. Then the "canonical basis" is 2d and consists of ##f_{-1/2}, f_{1/2}##. With eq. 1-28 you now know how ##L_3## and ##L_{\pm}## act on that base, and therefore you can construct the matrices in this base.
Now, knowing these 3 operators you can easily compute, using 1-26 the operators ##A_i##. And from that, you can construct the unitary matrix.
 
Gaussian97 said:
Since you want to obtain a 2d representation, you need to use the representation with ##2=2j+1## i.e. ##j=1/2##. Then the "canonical basis" is 2d and consists of ##f_{-1/2}, f_{1/2}##. With eq. 1-28 you now know how ##L_3## and ##L_{\pm}## act on that base, and therefore you can construct the matrices in this base.
Now, knowing these 3 operators you can easily compute, using 1-26 the operators ##A_i##. And from that, you can construct the unitary matrix.
Hello. Thank you. The real problem to me is, following your reasoning, make the last step. Tthat is, from the Ai obtained, how to construct the unitary matrix. How do exact we could do it? I am still new in these representations things, so i am a little confused about that.
 
Given the set of generators ##A_i##, you can construct the elements of the group as
$$g(\alpha, \beta, \gamma) = \exp{(\alpha A_1 + \beta A_2 + \gamma A_3)}$$
Where the exponential must be understood as its Taylor expansion. The evaluation can be, in general, very difficult, fortunately for the 2d representation of SO(3) you can find easy expressions for the matrices ##(\alpha A_1 + \beta A_2 + \gamma A_3)^n## which allows you to write the exponential in the form 1-29
 

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