Stone's theorem on one-parameter unitary groups and new observables?

In summary, the conversation discusses the question of whether the current list of self-adjoint operators used in quantum mechanics is exhaustive or not. The possibility of other one-parameter unitary groups that could give rise to new observables is also considered, with the example of spin discussed. The conversation also touches on the classification of one-parameter unitary groups and whether there are any that could lead to new observables in quantum theory.
  • #1
victorvmotti
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TL;DR Summary
Using unitary groups looking for new observables
I have been following the proof of the Stone's theorem on one-parameter unitary groups.

The question is if the current list of self-adjoint operators used in quantum mechanics, including position and momentum operators, is exhaustive or not?

Put it another way, can we say that there is no other one-parameter unitary groups, that can give us yet new self-adjoint operators, in addition to position and momentum ones, and therefore new observables?
 
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  • #2
Of course there's one more important, which is spin. In non-relativistic QM it's just another angular-momentum operator in addition to the orbital-angular momentum operator ##\hat{\vec{L}}=\hat{\vec{x}} \times \hat{\vec{p}}##. While the orbital-angular momentum realizes only integer-representations of the rotation group, ##\ell \in \{0,1,2,\ldots \}##, the spin realizes also half-integer representations (which are representations of the covering group SU(2) of the rotation group SO(3)).

In the representation with wave functions you get spinor-valued fields, transforming under rotations like
$$\psi_{\sigma}'(\vec{x}')=D_{\sigma,\sigma'}(R) \psi_{\sigma'} (R^{-1} \vec{x}),$$
here ##D_{\sigma,\sigma'}## with ##\sigma,\sigma' \in \{-s,-s+1,\ldots,s-1,s \}## (and using the Einstein summation convention) is the representation of the rotation ##R## for particles with spin ##s \in \{0,1/2,1,\ldots \}##.
 
  • #3
Thanks so much for the reply.

But my point wasn't about spin.

I actually meant if there is a classification theorem on one parameter unitary groups.

Do we know now that there is no other such group that if exist at all then its generator will give us some yet unknown observable in quantum theory?
 

1. What is Stone's theorem on one-parameter unitary groups?

Stone's theorem on one-parameter unitary groups states that for every self-adjoint operator on a Hilbert space, there exists a one-parameter unitary group that generates it. This means that any self-adjoint operator can be written as a combination of unitary operators, which are important in quantum mechanics.

2. What are unitary groups?

Unitary groups are sets of unitary operators, which are operators that preserve the inner product in a Hilbert space. In other words, they preserve the length and angle between vectors. These operators are important in quantum mechanics because they represent transformations that preserve the fundamental properties of quantum systems.

3. How does Stone's theorem relate to quantum mechanics?

Stone's theorem is an important result in quantum mechanics because it shows that any self-adjoint operator, which represents an observable in quantum mechanics, can be written as a combination of unitary operators. This allows us to use unitary operators to study the behavior of quantum systems and make predictions about their observables.

4. What are new observables in Stone's theorem?

New observables in Stone's theorem refer to the self-adjoint operators that can be generated by a one-parameter unitary group. These observables may not have been previously defined or studied, but Stone's theorem allows us to express them in terms of unitary operators and use them to analyze quantum systems.

5. How is Stone's theorem used in practical applications?

Stone's theorem has many practical applications in quantum mechanics. It is used to study the behavior of quantum systems and make predictions about observables. It is also used in the development of quantum algorithms and quantum computing. Additionally, Stone's theorem is used in the study of quantum field theory and the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics.

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