The invers of fixed Levi-Civita symbol's element

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the inverse of the Levi-Civita symbol's element \(\epsilon^{tabc}\), specifically focusing on the context of tensor algebra in curved spacetime. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the correct approach to find this inverse and references a specific equation involving the Levi-Civita symbol.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants inquire about the context of the problem and whether it was assigned or self-generated. They question the meaning of the "inverse" of a fourth-rank tensor and suggest that the original poster clarify their intent. There are discussions about the relationship between the Levi-Civita symbols and Kronecker deltas, as well as how to express certain tensors in terms of others.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the original poster's problem statement and exploring various interpretations of the tensor relationships involved. Some guidance has been provided regarding the use of the Levi-Civita symbols in tensor equations, but no consensus has been reached on the specific approach to finding the inverse tensor.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions the use of diffeomorphism indices and expresses uncertainty about their English language skills, which may affect clarity. There is also a suggestion that the problem may lack sufficient context for effective assistance.

merhalag
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Homework Statement



Hi every one, I am really confused on how to calculate the inverse of this Levi Civita symbole's element \epsilon^{tabc}, I tried to used this equation \epsilon^{\mu\nu\rho\sigma}\epsilon_{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}=\delta^{\rho}_{\alpha}\delta^{\sigma}_{\beta}-\delta^{\rho}_{\beta}\delta^{\sigma}_{\alpha}

Homework Equations



In fact I am searching \left(\epsilon^{tabc}\right)^{-1} where the indices should be lower.


The Attempt at a Solution



Based on the equation above, is it correct if I write: \epsilon_{taef}\epsilon^{tabc}=\delta^{b}_{e}\delta^{c}_{f}-\delta^{b}_{f}\delta^{c}_{e}

I recall that \mu\nu\rho\sigma... are the diffeomorfism indices on curved space-time, "t" is the temporal indice and where "a,b,c..." are the spatial ones.

I apologize for my bad english once again. I have tried to do my best to make the problem statement as clear as possible.
 
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Is this part of a problem that was given to you?

If so, you should post the full problem so helpers can see the context.

If not, then what do you mean by the "inverse" of a 4th-rank tensor. Are you searching for a tensor (which I'll denote as ##\rho##) which satisfies:
$$ \epsilon_{abcd} \; \rho^{abce} ~=~ \delta^e_d$$?
 
strangerep said:
Is this part of a problem that was given to you?

If so, you should post the full problem so helpers can see the context.

If not, then what do you mean by the "inverse" of a 4th-rank tensor. Are you searching for a tensor (which I'll denote as ##\rho##) which satisfies:
$$ \epsilon_{abcd} \; \rho^{abce} ~=~ \delta^e_d$$?

Yes, \epsilon_{\mu\nu\rho\sigma} \; \rho^{\alpha\beta\delta\lambda} ~=~3! \delta^\lambda_\sigma

Where \mu,\nu,,... are the diffeomorphism indices, once one has fixed this indices, how can I find the tensor \rho?

For exemple:

T^{a}=P_{a'}\epsilon^{tabc}\epsilon^{ta'}\:_{bc}, how can I find the expression of P_{a'} alone in fonction of T_{a} and probably the inverse of \epsilon^{tabc}...

May I made the context clear? I apologize once again for my bad english. :)
 
You didn't answer my first question, so I'll ask one more time: did someone else give you this problem to solve, or did you make it up yourself?

(I think you're still not telling me the entire question. If so, my answers might not be helpful.)

Anyway...

merhalag said:
T^{a}=P_{a'}\epsilon^{tabc}\epsilon^{ta'}\:_{bc}, how can I find the expression of P_{a'} alone in fonction of T_{a} and probably the inverse of \epsilon^{tabc}...
If I understand your opening post, "t" is a fixed index, so... can't your equation be written just in terms of the 3-index ##\epsilon## symbol, i.e.,

$$T^{a}=P_{a'}\epsilon^{0abc}\epsilon^{0a'}\:_{bc} ~~?$$
Using the earlier ##\epsilon## formula, replacing ##\sigma## and ##\beta## by 0, we get
$$\epsilon^{\mu\nu\rho 0}\epsilon_{\mu\nu\alpha 0}=\delta^{\rho}_{ \alpha}\delta^{0}_{0}-\delta^{\rho}_{0}\delta^{0}_{\alpha} ~.$$Now, we need consider only ##\rho\ne 0## and ##\alpha\ne 0##, otherwise the equation degenerates to ##0=0##.
Therefore, the last term above is 0, leaving ##\delta^\rho_\alpha##.

Can you apply this to your ##T^a## equation?
 

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