8. The Group SU(2) and more about SO(3) SU(2) = Group of 2  2 unitary matrices with unit determinant. Simplest non-Abelian Lie group. Locally equivalent to SO(3); share same Lie algebra. Compact & simply connected  All IRs are single-valued. Is universal covering group of SO(3). Ref: Y.Choquet, et al, "Analysis, manifolds & physics" ( Y, f ) is a universal covering space for X if it is a covering space & Y is simply connected. A covering space for X is a pair ( Y, f ) where Y is connected & locally connected space & f : Y  X is a homeomorphism ( bi-continuous bijection ) if restricted to each connected component of f –1 (N(x))  neighborhood N(x) of every point x  X. X is simply connected if every covering space (Y,f) is isomorphic to (X,Id)

8.1 The Relationship between SO(3) and SU(2) 8.2 Invariant Integration 8.3 Orthonormality and Completeness Relations of 8.4 Projection Operators and Their Physical Applications 8.5 Differential Equations Satisfied by the D j – Functions 8.6 Group Theoretical Interpretation of Spherical Harmonics 8.7 Multipole Radiation of the Electromagnetic Field U(n): Number of real components = 2 n 2 Number of real constraints = n + 2 (n 2 –n)/2 = n 2  Dimension = n 2 Dimension of SU(n) = n 2 –1

8.1.The Relationship between SO(3) and SU(2) Proved in §7.3: Converse is also true. Proof ( of Theorem 8.1): Unitarity condition: Let i.e. Ansatz: 

must hold  ,    n, m = integers  ( m = 0 only ) There's no loss of generality in setting n = 0.  or Ansatz: Theroem 8.1:U(2) matrices: 4-parameters

Corollary: SU(2) matrices: 3-parameters   SU(2) matrices form a double-valued rep of SO(3) However, this range of  &  covers twice the area covered by  & . One compromise, chosen by Tung, is to set 0 <  < 2 . 

Cartesian parametrization of SU(2) matrices: with Group manifold = 4–D spherical surface of radius 1. Compact & simply-connected.

Let Since X is hermitian & traceless, so is X'.  i.e., Mapping with is 2-to-1 (  A to same R ) Let& where  i are the Pauli matrices  SU(2)  SO(3)

Let ( r 1, r 2, r 3 ) be the independent parameters in the Cartesian parametrization. &  i.e. Near E, we havek = 1,2,3  i.e., {  k } is a basis of the Lie algebra su(2). Since  su(2) & so(3) are the same if we set Since SU(2) is simply-connected, all IRs of su(2) are also single-valued IRs of SU(2)

Higher dim rep's can be generated using tensor techniques of Chap 5: IRs are generated by irred tensors belonging to symm classes of S n. Totally symmetric tensors of rank n form an (n+1)-D space for the j = n/2 IR of SU(2) [ See Example 2, §5.5 ] Explicit construction of Let where Spinor: Under rotation:i.e. Totally symmetric tensor in tensor space V 2 n : ( n+1 possible values )

n+1 independent  's in (convenient) normalized form: {  [m] } transforms as the canonical components of the j = n/2 IR of su(2): c.f. Problem 8.5  Correctness of Eq(8.1-25)Eq(8.1-25) Derivation: see Hamermesh, p.353-4

8.2. Invariant Integration   Specific method for SU(2) to find  : Let A, A', & B be prarametrized byresp. e.g., with  { r i }  { r' i } is orthogonal   Also holds for different parametrizations of same group element ( r  r' is linear )

Sincewhere  Integrate over r 0  where

Switching to { , ,  } parametrization   Integrate over r 

 Switching to { , ,  } parametrization

Theorem 8.2:Invariant Integration Measure Let A(  ) be a parametrization of a compact Lie group G & define by Thenwith where { J  } are the generators of the Lie algebra g. Proof:Let A(  ) be another parametrization. Consider any point under different parametrizations. We have  ( as required )

Let {  i } be the local coordinates at A. For a fixed element B, the coordinates at BA is  i.e.,  QED In case another parametrization {  i } is used at BA, we have

Another choice of generators { J'  } can always be expressed as a linear combination of the old generators { J  }, i.e., where S is independent of coordinates.  Example:SU(2) with Euler angle parametrization ( , ,  )

With the help of Mathematica, we get Mathematica

 C is an arbitrary constant Group volume Normalized invariant measure:

Rearrangement lemma for SU(2): ( Left invariant ) Left & right invariant measures coincide for compact groups. See Gilmore or Miller for proof.

8.3. Orthonormality and Completeness Relations of D j The existence of an invariant measure, which is true for every compact Lie group, establishes the validity of the rearrangement theorem, which in turn guarantees that 1. Every IR is finite-dimensional. 2. Every IR is equivalent to some unitary representation. 3. A reducible representation is decomposable. 4. The set of all inequivalent IRs are orthogonal & complete.

Theorem 8.3:Orthonormality of IRs for SU(2) In the Euler angle parametrization scheme [ d j (  ) = real ]: d  A is normalized n j = 2j+1  ( no sum over n, m )

Theorem 8.4:Completeness of D[R] (Peter-Weyl) The IR D  (A) m n form a complete basis in L 2 (G). L 2 (G) = ( Hilbert ) space of (Lebesgue) square integrable functions defined on the group manifold of a compact Lie group G. i.e., For G = SU(2), 

( completeness )  Comment: C.f. Fourier theorem in functional analysis. f(A) can be vector- or operator- valued. 

Bosons Fermions :  i.e. Bosons Fermions :   both cases

Often, with  = n, or, n+ ½ For = 0 i.e., the spherical harmonics { Y lm } forms an orthonormal basis for square integrable functions on the unit sphere. Peter-Weyl: Setting ( ,  ) → ( ,  ) gives

8.4. Projection Operators & their Physical Applications Transfer operator:c.f. Chap 4 if non-vanishing, transforms like the IBVs { | j m  } under SU(2) / SO(3) i.e., Henceforth, indices within |  or  | are exempted from summation rules (error in eq8.4-2)

Single Particle State with Spin Intrinsic spin = s  states of particle in rest frame are eigenstates of J 2 with eigenvalue s(s+1). Denote these states by with Task: Find | p  0,  i.e., find X 

Letbe the "standard state". Then ( Helicity = ) L 3 = 0 since motion is along z Alternatively, treating J & P as the generators of rotation & translation, resp, (eq 9.6-5)  ( Theorem 9.12 )  J·P, P, J 2, J 3 share the same eigenstates Prove it !Similarly,

Letwhere and  ( Problem 8.1 ) i.e., helicity of a particle is the same in all inertial frames.

States with definite angular momentum (J, M) : |  &  | excluded from summation   c.f. Peter-Weyl Thm, eq(8.3-4)

For a spinless particle, s = = 0: where c.f. § 7.5.2

{ | p J M  ; fixed } is complete for 1-particle states  can be inverted using Standard state : Traditional description: eigenstates of P 2, L 2, L 3, S 3 : with Difficulty: L 3, S 3 not conserved Partial remedy: Helicity is preferred to give D diagonal

Two Particle States with Spin Group theoretical methods essential to avoid complications such as the L–S & j–j coupling schemes. Standard state: C.M. frame,,,

General plane-wave states with

{ | p J M 1, 2  ; j fixed } is complete for 2-particle states  See Jacob & Wick, Annals of Physics (NY) 7, 401 (59) Advantages of the helicity states: All quantum numbers are measurables. Relation between linear- & angular- momentum states is direct: there is no need for the coupling-schemes. Well-behaved under discrete symmetries. Applicable to zero-mass particles. Simplifies application to scattering & decay processes.

Partial Wave Expansion for 2-Particle Scattering with Spin Initial state: Final state: All known interactions are invariant under SO(3).  Scattering matrix preserves J. Wigner–Eckart theorem:

( General partial wave expansion for 2-particle scattering ) c.f. §§ 7.5.3, 11.4, 12.7 Static spin version would involve multiple C–GCs.

8.5. Differential Equations Satisfied by the D j – Functions 1-D translation (§6.6):    Functions { e – i x p } are IRs of Lie group T 1.

  The following derivations are Mathematica assisted. See R_New.nbR_New.nb Tung's version is described in SU(2).ppt & R.nbSU(2).pptR.nb

Using 

(1) (2) (3) (3) + i sin  (2) – cos  (1) : (3) – i sin  (2) – cos  (1) :

 ( Differential equation for D j )



The  J 3 equation is the identity: The J  eqs give the recurrence relations  Since the J's are independent of , , & , we have  Note reversed order

 (Mathematica R_New.nb )R_New.nb 

For m = 0, j must be an integer & D j is independent of . Let ( j, m') = ( l, m ) & ( ,  ) = ( ,  ), we have

d j is related to the Jacobi polynomials by [ Eq(8.5-13) is wrong ]: From (Mathematica R_New.nb) we haveR_New.nb In particular, setting ( j,n,m )  ( l,m,0 ) gives  For n = m = 0:

8.6. Group Theoretical Interpretation of Spherical Harmonics Special functions ~ Group representation functions Roles played by Y lm ( ,  ) : They are matrix elements of the IRs of SO(3). They are transformation coefficients between bases |    & | l m .

Transformation under Rotation Let  c.f. eq(7.6-5)

Addition Theorem For m = 0:  ( Addition Theorem ) Note: so that

Decomposition of Products of Y lm with the Same Arguments From §7.7: eq (8.6-4) is wrong

Recursion Formulas   eqs( ,6 ) are wrong (see Edmonds)

Recursions involving different l's can be done using direct product reps. E.g., settingin we have

Using the CGCs in App V, we have

Symmetry in m From §7.4:  ( d j is real )

Orthonormality and Completeness Theorem 8.3:  Orthonormality Theorem 8.4 (Peter-Weyl, for j = integer l):  c.f. eqs(8.3–14,15)

Summary Remarks Geometric interpretations were given for –Differential eqs –Recursion formulae –Addition theorem –Orthonormality & completeness relations –…–… Further development: generalization of Fourier analysis to functions on manifold of any compact Lie group (for which the Peter-Weyl theorem holds). The D-functions, e.g.,{ Y lm }, are also natural bases for Hilbert space vectors & (tensor) operators (see §§7.5, 8.4 & 8.7).

8.7. Multipole Radiation of the Electromagnetic Field Plane wave photon state of helicity : Photon state with angular momentum specified by J,M (c.f. §8.4.1) : The creation operators a † (k, ) & a † ( k, J, M, ) are defined by where | 0  is the (vacuum) state of no photons.  Using the half-integer case of Peter-Weyl theorem (see eqs(8.3–11,12): we get

Annihilation operators: Vector potential in a source–free region is given by : where Electromagnetic fields (  potential  = 0 ) :    where are the multipole wave functions

Evaluation of A JM k (x) where ( Addition theorem ) See Jackson §16.8 See §7.8

From § 7.7 :   Comparing with the inverse of i.e.,we have

where = Vector spherical harmonics c.f. Prob 8.10 Electric and magnetic multipoles ( of definite parities ) : See Chap 11 Note: The above results are derived with no explicit reference to the Maxwell eqs. c.f. error in eq(8.7-15)

Example: Photo-Absorption 1 st order perturbation transition probability amplitude: Using the Wigner-Eckart theorem, we have

Final Exam Problems 7.7, 8.6, 8.7 & 8.10