Is the Inner Product in Quaternionic Vector Spaces Truly Hyperhermitian?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether the inner product defined in quaternionic vector spaces satisfies the hyperhermitian condition. It explores the mathematical structure of quaternionic vector spaces, the definitions of hyperhermitian and hyperkahler structures, and the implications of these definitions on the inner product formulation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant defines a quaternionic vector space with a quaternionic structure consisting of three linear operators ##I, J, K## and presents the inner product formulation.
  • Another participant requests clarification on the hyperhermitian condition and the concept of quaternionic structure.
  • A participant elaborates on the hyperhermitian condition, noting its relation to the Hermitian condition in complex spaces and providing the relevant mathematical definitions.
  • One participant presents a detailed calculation attempting to verify the hyperhermitian condition using the defined inner product, ultimately concluding that it cannot be fulfilled.
  • Another participant shares a link to a resource that may provide additional context or information related to the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the inner product satisfies the hyperhermitian condition, with one participant asserting it cannot be fulfilled based on their calculations, while others have not yet reached a consensus on this point.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes complex mathematical definitions and calculations that may depend on specific assumptions about the properties of quaternionic structures and inner products. The implications of these definitions on the hyperhermitian condition remain unresolved.

Leditto
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Let ##V## be a quaternionic vector space with quaternionic structure ##\{I,J,K\}##. One can define a Riemannian metric ##G## and hyperkahler structure ##\{\Omega^{I},\Omega^{J}, \Omega^{K}\}##. Do this inner product
$$\langle p,q \rangle := G(p,q)+i\Omega^{I}(p,q)+j\Omega^{J}(p,q)+k\Omega^{K}(p,q)$$
really satisfy hyperhermitian condition?
 
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Hey Leditto.

Could you please (for those of us like myself unfamiliar with the field and terminology) give a description of the condition?

Also - what is a quaternionic structure? I know what a quaternion is - is it just a tensor product of three quaternions?
 
chiro said:
Hey Leditto.

Could you please (for those of us like myself unfamiliar with the field and terminology) give a description of the condition?

Also - what is a quaternionic structure? I know what a quaternion is - is it just a tensor product of three quaternions?

On a vector space, a quaternionic structure is a set of three linear operators ##I,J,K## such that

$$I^2 = J^2 = K^2 = IJK = -\mathrm{id}, \quad IJ = K, \quad JK = I, \quad KI = J.$$
However, I've not heard the word "hyperhermitian" before.
 
Ben Niehoff said:
On a vector space, a quaternionic structure is a set of three linear operators ##I,J,K## such that

$$I^2 = J^2 = K^2 = IJK = -\mathrm{id}, \quad IJ = K, \quad JK = I, \quad KI = J.$$
However, I've not heard the word "hyperhermitian" before.
Thanks for your response, Niehoff.

In complex case, Hermitian condition is described by $$\langle I u,I v \rangle=\langle u,v \rangle.$$ Quaternionic analogue of that condition is called hyperhermitian condition and defined by $$\langle I u,I v \rangle=\langle J u,J v \rangle=\langle K u,K v \rangle = \langle u,v \rangle.$$ In addition, there are metric compatibilities condition that make vector space ##V## a hyperkahler manifold, $$G(Iu,v)=\Omega^{I}(u,v),\quad G(Ju,v)=\Omega^{J}(u,v),\quad G(Ku,v)=\Omega^{K}(u,v).$$ I've checked that hyperhermitian condition can't be fulfilled by defining $$\langle u,v \rangle=G(u,v)+i\,\Omega^{I}(u,v)+j\,\Omega^{J}(u,v)+k\,\Omega^{K}(u,v).$$ My calculation:
\begin{eqnarray*}
\langle I u,I v \rangle&=&G(Iu,Iv)+i\,\Omega^{I}(Iu,Iv)+j\,\Omega^{J}(Iu,Iv)+k\,\Omega^{K}(Iu,Iv)\\
&=&\Omega^{I}(u,Iv)+i\,G(I^2u,Iv)+j\,G(JIu,Iv)+k\,G(KIu,Iv)\\
&=&-\Omega^{I}(Iv,u)-i\,G(Iv,u)-j\,G(Ku,Iv)+k\,G(Ju,Iv)\\
&=&-G(I^2v,u)-i\,\Omega^{I}(v,u)-j\,\Omega^{K}(u,Iv)+k\,\Omega^{J}(u,Iv)\\
&=&G(u,v)+i\,\Omega^{I}(u,v)+j\,\Omega^{K}(Iv,u)-k\,\Omega^{J}(Iu,v)\\
&=&G(u,v)+i\,\Omega^{I}(u,v)+j\,G(KIv,u)-k\,G(JIv,u)\\
&=&G(u,v)+i\,\Omega^{I}(u,v)+j\,G(Jv,u)+k\,G(Kv,u)\\
&=&G(u,v)+i\,\Omega^{I}(u,v)-j\,\Omega^{J}(u,v)-k\,\Omega^{K}(u,v)\\
&\neq& \langle u, v \rangle
\end{eqnarray*}

Did I make something wrong in my elaboration? Can You spot it?
 
Last edited:
jim mcnamara said:
Hmm. maybe this might help:

http://arxiv.org/abs/math/0105206

Thanks Jim McNamara

I focus only on a quaternionic vector space case which can be seen as a (linear) hyperkahler manifold.
 

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