##SU(2)## homeomorphic with ##\mathbb S^3##

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SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that the special unitary group ##SU(2)## is homeomorphic to the 3-sphere ##\mathbb{S}^3##. This homeomorphism is established through a natural bijection between ##SU(2)## matrices and points on ##\mathbb{S}^3##, utilizing the subspace topology from ##\mathbb{R}^4##. The topology on ##SU(2)## is induced by this bijection, ensuring that the mapping is continuous and open, thus satisfying the conditions for a homeomorphism.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of topological spaces and homeomorphisms
  • Familiarity with the special unitary group ##SU(2)##
  • Knowledge of the 3-sphere ##\mathbb{S}^3## and its properties
  • Basic concepts of bijections and induced topologies
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of topological spaces and homeomorphisms in detail
  • Explore the relationship between ##SU(2)## and other Lie groups
  • Learn about the implications of induced topologies in different mathematical contexts
  • Investigate the applications of ##SU(2)## in quantum mechanics and physics
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physicists, and students studying topology, particularly those interested in the connections between algebraic structures and geometric representations.

  • #61
fresh_42 said:
All that is needed is the decision of how you want to look at it and where to start from. We run around in circles here, partly because of the words "induced" or "subspace topology" which have been used without mentioning "induced by what and how?" or "subspace of what?".
See this link (2nd answer). The set of matrices ##M(z,w)## without constraint ##|z|^2 + |w|^2 =1## is homeomorphic with ##\mathbb C^2 \cong \mathbb R^4##. The condition ##|z|^2 + |w|^2 =1## defines a 3-sphere ##\mathbb S^3## in ##\mathbb R ^4##. Then restricting the above homeomorphism on ##\mathbb S^3## endowed with the subspace topology from ##\mathbb R ^4## we get the homeomorphism with ##SU(2)##.
 
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  • #62
I will not respond to an again imprecisely phrased statement since ##M(z,w)## is undefined, there is no homeomorphism other than the identity, and a point on ##\mathbb{S}^3## has nothing to do with a point on ##SU(2)## without explaining the correspondence. I can understand it, nevertheless, it is sloppy. IMO, you have to learn to be way more precise than you usually are. Half of your questions resolve themselves once they are stated with the necessary precision. That does NOT mean to write more, au contraire, it is very often less!

This thread is closed.
 
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