Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review Letters

Quantum Theory as the Representation Theory of Symmetries

P. P. Divakaran

Published Sep 22, 1997• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

It is proposed that an unconstrained quantum system is completely specified by its configuration space $C$ and its group of symmetries $G$. It is then shown that the theory of projective unitary representations of $G$ on a certain Hilbert space determined by $C$ and $G$ leads to a definitive resolution of supposed ambiguities relating to superselection rules, choice of wave functions, topological properties of $G$ and $C$, anomalies, etc.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.79.2159

Related papers

SYMMETRIES AND QUANTIZATION: STRUCTURE OF THE STATE SPACE

P. P. Divakaran

This paper is concerned with the relationship between the group G of all symmetries of an unconstrained dynamical system and the space of its quantum states. The chief aim is to establish the validity of the claim that "quantizing a system" means deciding what G is and determining all projective unitary representations of G. The mathematical tool suited to this purpose is the theory of central extensions of an arbitrary group G by the circle group T (and the closely related cohomology group H2 (G, T)). The fundamental structural property is that there is a universal state space [Formula: see text] embedding all states, a unitary representation space of the universal central extension [Formula: see text] of G, on which the Pontryagin dual H2 (G, T)⋆ of H2 (G, T) operates as a group of su-perselection rules, so that the superselection sectors are [Formula: see text] and observables are self-adjoint operators Vh → Vh. This leads to a classification of time-evolution operators respecting the symmetries by H2 (G, T) and a general understanding of "anomalies" as arising from a mismatch of sectors to which symmetry transformations and time-evolution refer. For the special case of a Lie group G of symmetries, [Formula: see text] of G coincides with [Formula: see text] the universal covering group, if G is semisimple. More generally, depending on whether or not G is semisimple and/or simply connected, inequivalent quantizations are of topological, algebraic or "mixed" origin; in the algebraic case, the relationship between anomalous conservation laws and invariant dynamics is explicitly given. Illustrative examples worked out include the Euclidean group E (d) and the (connected) Poincaré group P (d, 1) for arbitrary spatial dimension d and the discrete groups (Z/N)2 and Z2 appropriate for planar square crystals — in particular, the absence of "fractional" angular momentum in the plane is established and the difficulties specific to (2,1)-dimensional quantum field theories precisely formulated. The paper concludes by noting that a number of ambiguities generally supposed to affect traditional procedures of quantization resolve themselves satisfactorily in this approach. Mathematically, the paper is self-contained as far as the concepts and results are concerned; occasionally, proofs of well-known facts are reworked when they serve to illustrate the value of the symmetry point of view. The theory of universal central extensions of groups, including important special cases, is treated in detail in an appendix by M. S. Raghunathan, in view of its significance for quantization and the absence of a similar account in the literature.

Reviews in Mathematical Physics•Apr 1, 1994•9 citations

The Basic Theory of Quantum Mechanics

Bas C. van Fraassen

Covered are Hilbert space, vector, and operator representations of pure and mixed states, measurable physical quantities (observables), Gleason's theorem, Lueders’ Rule, unitary operators, and Schroedinger's Equation, symmetries of the Hamiltonian and the corresponding conservation laws, and superselection rules.

Oxford University Press eBooks•Sep 26, 1991•0 citations

Symmetry in Quantum Theory

Gérard G. Emch, C. Piron

The aim of this note is to give a precise definition of symmetry in quantum theory in order to generalize Wigner's representation theorem, in the framework of lattice theory and projective geometry. We do not require the concept of physical state; the results are valid for any field (division ring) used in the realization of the lattice of propositions. Physical systems with the most general superselection rules are included in the theory.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Apr 1, 1963•43 citations

An intuitive approach to group representation theory. II

Anthony Brinton Wolbarst

After the link ?R‖ψ (?r) 〉 = ‖ψ (r) 〉 between the real-space geometric operator ? and a uniquely associated new function-space operator ?R is established, the real-space development of Paper I is extended into function space. Several examples then illustrate the central theorem of group representation theory as used in quantum mechanics: for a given physical system, the energy eigenvectors {‖ψi(ν)(r) 〉} corresponding to the eigenvalue Eν constitute a subspace of Hilbert space invariant with respect to the system’s group of symmetry operators, and a set of basis vectors spanning that subspace can produce an irreducible representation of that group. Or, more simply, symmetry in real space determines symmetry in function space. And it is from and appreciation of the symmetry properties of states and operators in Hilbert space that the useful arguments of group representation theory flow.

American Journal of Physics•Jan 1, 1979•2 citations

Continuous-Representation Theory. V. Construction of a Class of Scalar Boson Field Continuous Representations

John R. Klauder, James McKenna

A large class of continuous representations of separable Hilbert spaces is constructed with the aid of representations of the canonical commutation relations (CCR) for a scalar boson field φ(f) and its canonical conjugate π(g). A representation of the CCR for a scalar boson field consists of two operator-valued functions V[g] and W[f], defined for all f, g in Schwartz's space 𝒮 of real test functions, where V[g] and W[f] are unitary operators defined on some separable Hilbert space ℌ, and which satisfy the commutation relations V[g]W[f] = e−i(f,g) W[f]V[g]. These unitary operators are related to the field and its momenta by V[g] = e−iπ(g), W[f] = eiφ(f). We explicitly construct a family of such representations with the help of von Neumann's theory of infinite direct products of Hilbert spaces, the pertinent parts of which are reviewed. A continuous representation ℌ of the Hilbert space ℭ is composed of a linear vector space of complex, bounded, continuous functionals defined on 𝒮 × 𝒮. These functionals are defined for all Ψ∈H by ψ(f, g)=(V[g]W[f]Φ0, Ψ). In this definition, Φ0 is a fixed unit vector in ℌ. The properties of the functions in ℭ depend on the choice of the representation of the CCR and on the choice of Φ0. When ℭ is constructed with the aid of an irreducible representation of the CCR, an inner product can be defined for all pairs of functionals in ℭ by an intuitively meaningful, rigorously defined integral in the sense of Friedrichs and Shapiro. With this inner product, ℭ is a complete Hilbert space congruent with ℌ. As in all continuous representations, a reproducing kernel exists and determines the functions in the continuous representation. One such space is closely related to a space of analytic functionals introduced by Segal and Bargmann. The representation of various operators as kernels and as functional derivatives is discussed. Finally, the construction of a vast number of unitary invariants for a representation of the CCR is used to establish the unitary inequivalence of uncountably many of the representations that we construct.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Jan 1, 1965•37 citations

Alternative formulations of quantum theory

Keith Hannabuss

Abstract The mathematical description of quantum theory rests on the idea of states and observables. However, the dynamical description of these two described in Section 6.4 is quite different.

•Mar 20, 1997•0 citations
It is proposed that an unconstrained quantum system is completely specified by its configuration space CCC and its group of symmetries GGG. It is then shown that the theory of projective unitary representations of GGG on a certain Hilbert space determined by CCC and GGG leads to a definitive resolution of supposed ambiguities relating to superselection rules, choice of wave functions, topological properties of GGG and CCC, anomalies, etc.
This paper is concerned with the relationship between the group G of all symmetries of an unconstrained dynamical system and the space of its quantum states. The chief aim is to establish the validity of the claim that "quantizing a system" means deciding what G is and determining all projective unitary representations of G. The mathematical tool suited to this purpose is the theory of central extensions of an arbitrary group G by the circle group T (and the closely related cohomology group H2 (G, T)). The fundamental structural property is that there is a universal state space [Formula: see text] embedding all states, a unitary representation space of the universal central extension [Formula: see text] of G, on which the Pontryagin dual H2 (G, T)⋆ of H2 (G, T) operates as a group of su-perselection rules, so that the superselection sectors are [Formula: see text] and observables are self-adjoint operators Vh → Vh. This leads to a classification of time-evolution operators respecting the symmetries by H2 (G, T) and a general understanding of "anomalies" as arising from a mismatch of sectors to which symmetry transformations and time-evolution refer. For the special case of a Lie group G of symmetries, [Formula: see text] of G coincides with [Formula: see text] the universal covering group, if G is semisimple. More generally, depending on whether or not G is semisimple and/or simply connected, inequivalent quantizations are of topological, algebraic or "mixed" origin; in the algebraic case, the relationship between anomalous conservation laws and invariant dynamics is explicitly given. Illustrative examples worked out include the Euclidean group E (d) and the (connected) Poincaré group P (d, 1) for arbitrary spatial dimension d and the discrete groups (Z/N)2 and Z2 appropriate for planar square crystals — in particular, the absence of "fractional" angular momentum in the plane is established and the difficulties specific to (2,1)-dimensional quantum field theories precisely formulated. The paper concludes by noting that a number of ambiguities generally supposed to affect traditional procedures of quantization resolve themselves satisfactorily in this approach. Mathematically, the paper is self-contained as far as the concepts and results are concerned; occasionally, proofs of well-known facts are reworked when they serve to illustrate the value of the symmetry point of view. The theory of universal central extensions of groups, including important special cases, is treated in detail in an appendix by M. S. Raghunathan, in view of its significance for quantization and the absence of a similar account in the literature.
After the link ?R‖ψ (?r) 〉 = ‖ψ (r) 〉 between the real-space geometric operator ? and a uniquely associated new function-space operator ?R is established, the real-space development of Paper I is extended into function space. Several examples then illustrate the central theorem of group representation theory as used in quantum mechanics: for a given physical system, the energy eigenvectors {‖ψi(ν)(r) 〉} corresponding to the eigenvalue Eν constitute a subspace of Hilbert space invariant with respect to the system’s group of symmetry operators, and a set of basis vectors spanning that subspace can produce an irreducible representation of that group. Or, more simply, symmetry in real space determines symmetry in function space. And it is from and appreciation of the symmetry properties of states and operators in Hilbert space that the useful arguments of group representation theory flow.
A large class of continuous representations of separable Hilbert spaces is constructed with the aid of representations of the canonical commutation relations (CCR) for a scalar boson field φ(f) and its canonical conjugate π(g). A representation of the CCR for a scalar boson field consists of two operator-valued functions V[g] and W[f], defined for all f, g in Schwartz's space 𝒮 of real test functions, where V[g] and W[f] are unitary operators defined on some separable Hilbert space ℌ, and which satisfy the commutation relations V[g]W[f] = e−i(f,g) W[f]V[g]. These unitary operators are related to the field and its momenta by V[g] = e−iπ(g), W[f] = eiφ(f). We explicitly construct a family of such representations with the help of von Neumann's theory of infinite direct products of Hilbert spaces, the pertinent parts of which are reviewed. A continuous representation ℌ of the Hilbert space ℭ is composed of a linear vector space of complex, bounded, continuous functionals defined on 𝒮 × 𝒮. These functionals are defined for all Ψ∈H by ψ(f, g)=(V[g]W[f]Φ0, Ψ). In this definition, Φ0 is a fixed unit vector in ℌ. The properties of the functions in ℭ depend on the choice of the representation of the CCR and on the choice of Φ0. When ℭ is constructed with the aid of an irreducible representation of the CCR, an inner product can be defined for all pairs of functionals in ℭ by an intuitively meaningful, rigorously defined integral in the sense of Friedrichs and Shapiro. With this inner product, ℭ is a complete Hilbert space congruent with ℌ. As in all continuous representations, a reproducing kernel exists and determines the functions in the continuous representation. One such space is closely related to a space of analytic functionals introduced by Segal and Bargmann. The representation of various operators as kernels and as functional derivatives is discussed. Finally, the construction of a vast number of unitary invariants for a representation of the CCR is used to establish the unitary inequivalence of uncountably many of the representations that we construct.