Verifying Lorentz Algebra with Clifford/Dirac Algebra

  • Thread starter Thread starter Onamor
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Algebra Lorentz
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on verifying the Lorentz algebra using Clifford/Dirac algebra, specifically through the relationship defined by the anticommutation relation \(\left\{ \gamma^{\mu}, \gamma^{\nu} \right\} = 2 g^{\mu\nu} \times \textbf{1}_{n \times n}\). The n-dimensional representation of the Lorentz algebra is expressed as \(S^{\mu \nu} = \frac{i}{4} \left[\gamma^{\mu}, \gamma^{\nu}\right]\), which must satisfy the commutation relation \(\left[J^{\mu \nu}, J^{\rho \sigma}\right] = i \left(g^{\nu \rho} J^{\mu \sigma} - g^{\mu \rho} J^{\nu \sigma} - g^{\nu \sigma} J^{\mu \rho} + g^{\mu \sigma} J^{\nu \rho}\right)\). The challenge lies in performing the necessary computations to arrive at the correct form, which involves manipulating the gamma matrices and recognizing the structure of the terms involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Clifford algebra and its properties
  • Familiarity with Dirac matrices and their representations
  • Knowledge of Lorentz transformations and their algebraic structure
  • Proficiency in tensor notation and manipulation in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Clifford algebra and its applications in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about the representation theory of the Lorentz group
  • Explore advanced topics in quantum field theory, focusing on the role of gamma matrices
  • Practice deriving commutation relations for various algebraic structures in theoretical physics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, graduate students in physics, and researchers working on quantum field theory and particle physics, particularly those interested in the mathematical foundations of Lorentz invariance and algebraic structures in high-energy physics.

Onamor
Messages
76
Reaction score
0
Paraphrasing Peskin and Schroeder:

By repeated use of
\left\{ \gamma^{\mu} , \gamma^{\nu} \right\}= 2 g^{\mu\nu} \times \textbf{1}_{n \times n} (Clifford/Dirac algebra),
verify that the n-dimensional representation of the Lorentz algebra,
S^{\mu \nu}=\frac{i}{4}\left[\gamma^{\mu},\gamma^{\nu}\right],
satisfies the commutation relation
\left[J^{\mu \nu},J^{\rho \sigma}\right]=i\left(g^{\nu \rho}J^{\mu \sigma}-g^{\mu \rho}J^{\nu \sigma}-g^{\nu \sigma}J^{\mu \rho}+g^{\mu \sigma}J^{\nu \rho}\right).

I've tried many lengthy computations and always seem to be missing something.
Most obvious thing to try is just
\left[S^{\mu \nu},S^{\rho \sigma}\right]=S^{\mu \nu}S^{\rho \sigma}-S^{\rho \sigma}S^{\mu \nu}=\frac{-1}{16}\left(\left[\gamma^{\mu},\gamma^{\nu}\right]\left[\gamma^{\rho},\gamma^{\sigma}\right]-\left[\gamma^{\rho},\gamma^{\sigma}\right]\left[\gamma^{\mu},\gamma^{\nu}\right]\right)
=\frac{-1}{16}\left(\left(\gamma^{\mu}\gamma^{\nu}-\gamma^{\nu}\gamma^{\mu}\right)\left(\gamma^{\rho}\gamma^{\sigma}-\gamma^{\sigma}\gamma^{\rho}\right)-\left(\gamma^{\rho}\gamma^{\sigma}-\gamma^{\sigma}\gamma^{\rho}\right)\left(\gamma^{\mu}\gamma^{\nu}-\gamma^{\nu}\gamma^{\mu}\right)\right)
=\frac{-1}{16}\left( \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^{\nu} \gamma^{\rho} \gamma^{\sigma} - \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^{\nu} \gamma^{\sigma} \gamma^{\rho} - \gamma^{\nu} \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^{\rho} \gamma^{\sigma} + \gamma^{\nu} \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^{\sigma} \gamma^{\rho} - \gamma^{\rho} \gamma^{\sigma} \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^{\nu} + \gamma^{\rho} \gamma^{\sigma} \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^{\nu} + \gamma^{\sigma} \gamma^{\rho} \gamma^{\mu} \gamma^{\nu} - \gamma^{\sigma} \gamma^{\rho} \gamma^{\nu} \gamma^{\mu} \right)

and then I've tried a few different commutation relations but to no avail.
Would be very grateful for any help in finishing this off.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org


This is indeed a difficult computation. You must cheat in a way, in the sense that you already know what the final answer looks like. So the the LHS with those 8 terms must lead to the RHS which has also 8 terms (4 times J, but each J has 2 times gammas). The g's will appear when you use the clifford algebra as

\gamma^{\mu}\gamma^{\nu} = 2g^{\mu\nu}-\gamma^{\nu}\gamma^{\mu}

So try to group the 8 terms of 4 gammas into the desired form according to how the J's indices occur in the RHS of what you're trying to prove.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K