Show the formula which connects the adjoint representations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between adjoint representations in the context of quantum mechanics, specifically involving Lie groups and their associated Lie algebras. Participants are exploring a mathematical expression related to the exponential map and its implications for operators in quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • One participant attempts to express the exponential function in terms of a power series but struggles to progress beyond a certain point, leading to a complex sum. Another participant questions the validity of this approach, suggesting that the proof is typically not derived through direct computation.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants sharing their attempts and questioning the methods used. Some guidance is provided regarding the relationship between the adjoint representations and the operations of Lie groups and algebras, though no consensus has been reached on the best approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes that the problem is part of a quantum mechanics exercise, which may impose specific constraints on the methods allowed for solving it. There is also an indication that the discussion may involve assumptions about the nature of the proof and the techniques typically employed in such contexts.

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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