Show the formula which connects the adjoint representations

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on deriving the formula connecting adjoint representations in the context of Lie groups and their algebras. The key formula established is \(\operatorname{Ad}(\exp(-\hat A))(\hat B) = \exp(\operatorname{ad}(-\hat A)) (\hat B)\), which relates the adjoint action of a Lie group on its algebra to the adjoint representation. The conversation highlights the use of power series expansions and the properties of the exponential function in this derivation. The participants emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between the Lie group \(G\) and its Lie algebra \(\mathfrak{g}\) through conjugation and the adjoint action.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lie groups and Lie algebras
  • Familiarity with the adjoint representation and its properties
  • Knowledge of power series and exponential functions
  • Basic concepts of quantum mechanics related to operators
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  • Study the relationship between Lie groups and their Lie algebras in depth
  • Learn about the properties and applications of the adjoint representation in physics
  • Explore the use of power series in mathematical physics, particularly in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate examples of adjoint actions in various Lie groups
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Mathematicians, physicists, and students studying quantum mechanics or advanced algebra who seek to deepen their understanding of Lie groups and their representations.

Mutatis
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Homework Statement
Show that ##e^\left(-Â\right)*\hat B*e^Â = \hat B - \left[ Â, \hat B \right] + \frac {1} {2!} *\left[ \hat A, \left[ Â, \hat B \right] \right] - ... ##
Relevant Equations
## e^x=\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac {x^n} {n!} ##
That's my attempting: first I've wrote ##e## in terms of the power series, but then I don't how to get further than this $$ \sum_{n=0}^\infty (-1)^n \frac {Â^n} {n!} \hat B \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac {Â^n} {n!} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty (-1)^n \frac {Â^2n} {\left( n! \right) ^2} $$. I've alread tried to expand it but it leads me to a weird sum of terms...
 
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Mutatis said:
That's my attempting: first I've wrote ##e## in terms of the power series, but then I don't how to get further than this $$ \sum_{n=0}^\infty (-1)^n \frac {Â^n} {n!} \hat B \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac {Â^n} {n!} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty (-1)^n \frac {Â^2n} {\left( n! \right) ^2} $$. I've alread tried to expand it but it leads me to a weird sum of terms...
Where did you get this from? The proof is normally not done by direct computation; and it is usually not homework.
 
Well, this is one exercise from my quantum mechanics class...
 
Looks a bit troublesome to do it this way. The way I know is (details aside):

Given a Lie group ##G## and its Lie algebra ##\mathfrak{g}##.

##G## operates on itself via conjugation ##x.y :=xyx^{-1}## which gives rise to
##G## operates on ##\mathfrak{g}## by ##x.Y := \operatorname{Ad}(x)(Y) = x Y x^{-1}## which gives rise to
##\mathfrak{g}## operates on itself by ##X.Y := \operatorname{ad}(X)(Y) = [X,Y]##

Now the two adjoint representations are related by ##\operatorname{Ad}(\exp(x)) = \exp(\operatorname{ad}(X))## since the exponential function is basically the integration from the tangent space, the Lie algebra ##\mathfrak{g}##, back into the Lie group ##G##.

What you have here is exactly this formula:
\begin{align*}
\operatorname{Ad}(\exp(-\hat A))(\hat B) &= \exp(-\hat A) \hat B \exp(\hat A) \\
&= \hat B - [\hat A, \hat B] +\frac{1}{2!} [\hat A,[\hat A,\hat B]] \mp \cdots \\
&= \left(1 + \operatorname{ad}(-\hat A) + \frac{1}{2!} (\operatorname{ad}(-\hat A))^2 \mp \cdots \right)(\hat B)\\
&= \exp(\operatorname{ad}(-\hat A)) (\hat B)
\end{align*}
If it is only an exercise in calculation with matrices, then you will probably have to use ##\operatorname{ad}(-\hat A)(\hat B) = [-\hat A,\hat B] = -\hat A \hat B +\hat B \hat A## and a bit of patience multiplying those sums.
 
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