Internal Symmetries (Prove Lagrangian is invariant)

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the invariance of the Lagrangian $$\mathcal{L} = \phi ^t M \phi + \frac{1}{2} \partial_\mu \phi ^t \partial ^\mu \phi$$, where $$M$$ is a symmetric, real, and positive matrix. The key insight involves understanding the internal symmetries represented by the transformation $$\phi^{(\alpha)} \longrightarrow \phi '^{(\alpha)} = \sum_{\beta = 1} \Omega_{\alpha \beta} \phi^{(\beta)}$$, with $$\Omega$$ belonging to the orthogonal group $$O(M)$$. The challenge lies in reconciling the number of parameters derived from the matrix $$M$$ with the dimensions of the fields in a four-dimensional spacetime.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics and field theory
  • Familiarity with symmetric matrices and their properties
  • Knowledge of the orthogonal group $$O(M)$$ and its implications in physics
  • Basic concepts of internal symmetries in quantum field theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of symmetric matrices in the context of quantum field theory
  • Learn about the orthogonal group $$O(M)$$ and its role in internal symmetries
  • Explore the derivation of invariance in Lagrangians through Noether's theorem
  • Investigate the implications of conjugate momenta in Lagrangian mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those focused on quantum field theory and Lagrangian mechanics, will benefit from this discussion.

Breo
Messages
176
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Note: There is an undertilde under every $$\phi$$

Imagine $$ \phi ^t M \phi $$ . M is a symmetric, real and positive matrix. Prove L is invariant:

$$ \mathcal{L} = \phi ^t M \phi + \frac{1}{2} \partial_\mu \phi ^t \partial ^\mu \phi $$

Trick: Counting parameters.

Homework Equations



Internal symmetries:

$$ x \longrightarrow x' = x$$

$$ \phi ^{(\alpha)} \longrightarrow \phi '^{(\alpha)} = \sum_{\substack{\beta = 1}} \Omega_{\alpha \beta} \phi ^{(\beta)} $$

Being:

$$ \Omega \in O)M) $$
$$ \Omega \Omega ^t = \mathbb {1} $$

The Attempt at a Solution

Ok, the second term in the right hand of the Lagrangian is easy to prove is invariant (I have the proof from classes), so we can obvious it.

About the trick, there are $$ \frac{M(M-1)}{2} $$ parameters, which should be the same that dimension, right? ( Or is M parameters?) because the O(M) group has the same equation for dimension. The issue comes from the reason M matrix must have dimension 2 ( the fields have 1 dimension each one in a 4-spacetime) but this makes the equation above to gives a non-natural number of M... so I'm lost here.

Going further:

I think we need to prove: $$ \delta \mathcal {L} = 0 $$. I tried this:

We know as M is symmetric and positive:

$$ M = M^t $$ and $$ A^t M A \geq 0 $$

So:

$$ \phi^t \Omega^t \Omega M^t \Omega^t \Omega \phi = \phi '^t \Omega M \Omega^t \phi ' $$

But this is nothing...

Help?

EDIT: I just did a new calculation way using conjugate momentums in the current calculation and reached that L would be invariant if $$ \phi = - \phi^t $$ haha I forgot something this time...
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
8K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K