Pauli lubanski pseudo vector in spin representation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculation of the Pauli-Lubanski pseudo vector in different representations of the Poincaré group, specifically the infinite-dimensional angular momentum representation and a spin representation of dimension N. The generators for the Lorentz part are defined as M_ab = x_a*d_b - x_b*d_a for rotations and M_ab = x_a*d_b + x_b*d_a for boosts, with momentum generators P_a = d_a. The Pauli-Lubanski pseudo vector is expressed as W_a = e_abcd * M_bc * P_d, which results in W_a = 0 for the angular momentum representation. In the spin representation, W_a is reformulated as W_a = e_abcd * S_bc * P_d, where S_ab are NxN matrices that satisfy the Lorentz algebra.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Poincaré group representations
  • Familiarity with Lorentz transformations and generators
  • Knowledge of antisymmetric Levi-Civita symbols
  • Basic concepts of quantum mechanics, particularly spin representations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Pauli-Lubanski pseudo vector in quantum field theory
  • Explore the properties of NxN matrices in the context of Lorentz algebra
  • Research explicit examples of Pauli-Lubanski calculations in literature
  • Learn about the implications of spin representations in particle physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, representation theory, and particle physics, will benefit from this discussion. It is also relevant for advanced students seeking to understand the mathematical framework behind spin and angular momentum in relativistic contexts.

rntsai
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I'm trying to calculate the pauli-lubanski pseudo vector for different representations
of the poincare group. The first rep is the infinite dimensional "angular momentum"
rep where the generators of the lorentz part take the form :

M_ab = x_a*d_b - x_b*d_a (for 3 rotations)
M_ab = x_a*d_b + x_b*d_a (for 3 boosts)

(here d_a is partial differentiation with respect to x_a, the indices...should be obvious).

the momentum part of the generators are :

P_a = d_a (4 translations)

The pauli-lubanski pseudo vector is defined :

W_a = e_abcd * M_bc * P_d

(e_abcd is antisymmetric levi-civita symbol)

A bit of a surprise (to me) is that W_a = 0 for this rep! (check it if you like).
I moved to calculating W_a in a "spin" rep of say dimension N; so now :


M_ab -> M_ab*I_N + S_ab

P_a -> P_a * I_N

where

S_ab = NxN matrices (6 constant matrices satissfying the lorentz algebra multiplication).
I_N is NxN identity matrix

(S_ab and P_c commute : S_ab * P_c = 0) and the pauli-lubanski pseudo vector becomes :

W_a = e_abcd * S_bc * P_d

So it seems like each of the four components is an NxN matrix. Even the invariant
W^a*W_a is an NxN matrix...I assume with eigenvalues equal to some
multiple of spin(spin+1)...although looking at this matrix that doesn't look obvious.

Anyway, my question is this : does the above look right? where can I find an
explicit example where the above calculations are carried out in detail. Also please
let me know if there's a better place to post this if this is outside the forum's area
 
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Couple of things I'd like to point out (unless you've figured it out by yourself)
1) The P-L (pseudo) tensor is constructed in a manner so that it receives NO contribution from orbital ang. mom. since that can take any arbitrarily large/small integer multiple of h-bar while spin ang. mom. is a CHARACTERISTIC of the particle (i.e represenatation) like mass and hence provides the only non-vanishing contribution. No wonder you found vanishing answer with M_ab.

2)S_ab-matrix for a spin-j particle (i.e. Lorentz group representation) is (2j+1) dimensional. S_0i=0, S_ij=e_ijk*J^K where J^K's are the usual spin-j matrices e.g. J^3=diag(-j,-j+,...,j-1,j).

Hope that helps.

Wriju
 

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