Why Is Group Theory Useful in Quantum Mechanics? Irreducible Representations of SU(2) and SO(3), Rotation Matrices The Symmetric Groups The Lie Algebra of SO(4) and the Hydrogen Atom Geometric Phases: The Aharonov-Bohm Effect and the Magnetic Monopole The Berry Phase in Molecular Dynamics The Dynamic Phase: Riemann Surfaces in the Semiclassical Theory of Non-Adiabatic Collisions The Connection Is the Gauge Field and the Curvature Is the Force: Some Topology and Differential Geometry Topological Quantum (Chern) Numbers: The Integer Quantum Hall Effect Chern-Simons Theory: The Fractional Quantum Hall Effect and other chapters.
Why Is Group Theory Useful in Quantum Mechanics? Irreducible Representations of SU(2) and SO(3), Rotation Matrices The Symmetric Groups The Lie Algebra of SO(4) and the Hydrogen Atom Geometric Phases: The Aharonov-Bohm Effect and the Magnetic Monopole The Berry Phase in Molecular Dynamics The Dynamic Phase: Riemann Surfaces in the Semiclassical Theory of Non-Adiabatic Collisions The Connection Is the Gauge Field and the Curvature Is the Force: Some Topology and Differential Geometry Topological Quantum (Chern) Numbers: The Integer Quantum Hall Effect Chern-Simons Theory: The Fractional Quantum Hall Effect and other chapters.
1. Introduction 2. The Pauli Equation and its Symmetries {2.1} Gauge-Invariant Form of the Pauli Equation {2.2} Aharonov-Bohm Effect {2.3} Aharonov-Casher Effect 3. Gauge Invariance in Non-Relativistic Quantum Many-Particle Systems {3.1} Differential Geometry of the Background {3.2} Systems of Spinning Particles Coupled to External Electromagnetic and Geometric Fields {3.3} Moving Coordinates and Quantum-Mechanical Larmor Theorem 4. Some Key Effects Related to the U(1)×SU(2) Gauge Invariance of Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics {4.1} ``Tidal'' Aharonov-Bohm and ``Geometric'' Aharonov-Casher Effects {4.2} Flux Quantization {4.3} Barnett and Einstein-deHaas Effects {4.4} Meissner-Ochsenfeld Effect and London Theory of Superconductivity {4.5} Quantum Hall Effect 5. Scaling Limit of the Effective Action of Fermi Systems, and Classification of States of Non-Relativistic Matter 6. Scaling Limit of the Effective Action of a Two-Dimensional, Incompressible Quantum Fluid {6.1} Scaling Limit of the Effective Action {6.2} Linear Response Theory and Current Sum Rules {6.3} Quasi-Particle Excitations and a Spin-Singlet Electron Pairing Mechanism 7. Anomaly Cancellation and Algebras of Chiral Edge Currents in Two- Dimensional, Incompressible Quantum Fluids {7.1} Integer Quantum Hall Effect and Edge Currents {7.2} Edge Excitations in Spin-Polarized Quantum Hall Fluids 8. Classification of Incompressible Quantum Hall Fluids {8.1} QH Fluids and QH Lattices: Basic Concepts {8.2} A Dictionary Between the Physics of QH Fluids and the Mathematics of QH Lattices {8.3} Basic Invariants of Chiral QH Lattices (CQHLs) and their Physical Interpretations {8.4} General Theorems and Classification Results for CQHLs {8.5} Maximally Symmetric CQHLs {8.6} Summary and Physical Implications of the Classification Results
Group theory of the Morse potential.- Four Euclidean conformal group approach to the multiphoton processes in the H-atom.- Landau theory, symmetry breaking and the chain criterion.- The configuration dN in cubic symmetry: A symmetry adapted weak field approach.- Group theory of the effective potential.- Bloch theorem for crystals with structural distortions.- Global symmetries of spin systems defined on abelian manifolds.- Phases and conjugacy classes.- The probability density in non relativistic quantum mechanics and the (extended) Galilei group.- Quaternionic quantum mechanics and Adler's chromostatics.- Coherent angular momentum states for the isotropic oscillator.- How to measure the canonical momentum p and operators p + f(q).- A uniqueness result for the segal quantization of a classical system with symmetries.- On the singular points of the matrix elements of the resolvent operator.- Limitations on quantum measuring processes.- Classical and quantum physics on phase space: The state spaces.- Quantum dynamical semigroups and complete positivity. An application to isotropic spin relaxation.- On geometric quantization of the rigid body.- A unified theory of simple dynamical systems.- Geometry of the time-dependent variational principle in quantum mechanics.- Variational characterization of Hamiltonian vectorfields as lie algebra of canonical diffeomorphisms.- The lie theory of extended groups in classical mechanics - Is it of relevance to quantum mechanics?.- On the structure of phase space.- Quantization as mapping and as deformation.- Metric and group structures from quantum physics.- Spontaneous symmetry breaking and restricted superposition principle.- Many-body quantum mechanics as symplectic dynamics.- A nonlinear superposition principle for Riccati equations of the conformal type.- Backlund transformations, conservation laws and lie symmetries for the generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation.- Killing tensors and variable separation for Hamilton-Jacobi equations.- Lie pseudogroups and gauge theory.- Conformal invariance and symmetry breaking for the one-dimensional wave equation.- The flavour sequence and superselection rules.- The Zitterbewegung of the electron and its compact phase space.- New experimental evidence for a new interpretation of flavor SU(3).- Baryon magnetic moments in broken SU(6).- The Racah-Wigner algebra and the masses of exotic hadrons.- Simple construction of a relativistic wave equation with arbitrary mass and spin and belinfante's 1/S-conjecture.- Poincare group, symplectic group, and relativistic extended hadrons consisting of spin 1/2 quarks.- An operator S matrix theory of the strongly interacting particles.- Generalized Galilei invariant partial wave expansions of the scattering amplitude for collisions between two particles with arbitrary spin.- Ternary algebras as the basis of a dynamical theory of subconstituents.- Solitons as sections in non trivial bundles.- Effects of heavy colored higgs scalars in grand unified theories.- Categories of nonlinear group realizations: A possible explanation for the multiple states of charge.- Classical solutions of non-linear ?-models and their quantum fluctuations.- Higgs representations for SO(n) gauges theories.- Multivortex configurations in the Abelian Higgs model.- Quark confinement in field theories with discrete gauge symmetry Z(3).- Proliferation of effective fields by spontaneous symmetry breakdown.- Explicit solutions for the scalar coupled Yang-Mills system in Minkowski space.- Dynamical supersymmetry SU(6/4) in nuclei.- Group theory of the IBA and its applications.- Bases for irreps of U(6) and three body problems.- Intrinsic sphape of nuclei.- Group theory and nuclear high spin phenomena.- SU3 symmetry in resonating group calculations. Toward a microscopic theory of 12C + 12C molecular resonances.- Collective motion, composite particle structure, and symplectic groups in nuclei.- Group theory and confrontation of nuclear collective models.- Matrix elements of generators of U(6) in a U(6)?U(3)?U(2) basis.- Hartree-Fock one-body dynamics and U(n) co-adjoint orbits.- Group-theoretical aspects of the many-body problem in nuclear theory.- The continuing quest for exact solutions of Einstein's field eouations - - new goals for the eighties.- All non-twisting N's with cosmological constant.- Can quantum effects prevent spacetime collapse?.- Complex plane representation of the Geroch group and a proof of a geroch conjecture.- The Geroch group and soliton solutions of the stationary axially symmetric Einstein's equations.- Geometry of projective asymptotic twistor space.- A truly relativistic approach of the concept of time.- Bases in Sp(2n) representation space.- Semiunitary projective representations of non-connected lie groups: A criterion for the choice of the unitary subgroup.- SU(mn) ? SU(m) x SU(n) isoscalar factors and S(f1+f2) ? S(f1) x S(f2) isoscalar factors.- Structure of enveloping algebras of low-rank groups.- Computer programs for the reduction of symmetrised nth powers of space group irreducible representations using gard's subgroup method.- Some remarks on the uniqueness and reality of Clebsch-Gordan coefficients for corepresentations.- On some special relations involving 3-jm symbols.- Two problems related to the Stone-von Neumann-Mackey uniqueness theorem.- Non-complex representations and their relation to antiunitary symmetry.- Representation theory of compact groups.- Representation theory of compact groups / Shift operators for discrete unitary representations of O(p,q).- Representation theory of compact groups / Maximal Abelian subalgebras of sp(2n,?) and their applications in physics.- Representation theory of compact groups / Polynomial space group tensors.- A permutation for SUn consistent with duality.- Integral transform representation of SL (2,R).- The theory of G? supermanifolds.- Casimir operations and the relations of the simplest supersymmetric superalgebra.- On realizations of graded lie algebras and on properties of d-polynomials.- On gauge formulations of gravitation theories.- Lagrangian formalism for superfields with internal symmetry.- Causal propagation in second order Lorentz-invariant wave equations.- The exceptional group E8 for grand unification.- Completely integrable N-body problems in three-dimension and their relativistic generalization.- Ward-Takashi identities as a necessary and sufficient condition for gauce invariance.- Supersymmetric generalization of Riemannian symmetric pairs.- Composite gauge fields and Riemannian geometry.- Gauge-theory ghosts and unitarity - Progress in the geometrical treatment.- Color in internal supersymmetry unification.- Canonical (possibly Lagrangian) realizations of the Poincare' group with increasing mass-spin trajectories.- Similarity analysis of wave propagation in axially nonlinear nonhomogeneous systems.
T HE BERRY PHASE, A CENTRAL CONCEPT IN QUANTUM physics, is rooted in the state space structure of quantum theory and has a profound observable impact within a wide range of phenomena. The remarkably elegant interpretation of this geometric phase as the holonomy of a fiber bundle provides it with a mathematical framework capable of accounting for a broad spectrum of classical and quantum phenomena, such as, for example, the precession of a Foucault pendulum, the parallel transport of a vector on a sphere, the Aharonov-Bohm effect, the gauge theory of molecular physics, the electric polarization and orbital magnetization of solids, and the integer and fractional quantum Hall effects. The Berry phase is the central concept in topological band theory and provides the mechanism responsible for anyonic statistics in correlated many-body systems, a key element that could be used to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computation. In other words, the Berry phase is not just some fashionable idea useful for explaining a few exotic phenomena, but a generic feature of quantum mechanics and an essential ingredient necessary for a coherent understanding of basic quantum phenomena, such as, for example, the electronic properties of materials. It is therefore rather surprising that the full significance of geometric phases was practically ignored for more than fifty years prior to the publication of Berry’s work in 1984 [50]. In this chapter we discuss the basic physics that gives rise to these geometric phases, point out the elements that allow us to distinguish different types of holonomies, summarize the basic concepts relevant to understanding the mathematical structure of geometric phases, and mention a few relevant applications. The concepts and the mathematical framework introduced here will be used in subsequent chapters as the basis for describing the topological properties of condensed matter systems.
Written for use in teaching and for self-study, this book provides a comprehensive and pedagogical introduction to groups, algebras, geometry, and topology. It assimilates modern applications of these concepts, assuming only an advanced undergraduate preparation in physics. It provides a balanced view of group theory, Lie algebras, and topological concepts, while emphasizing a broad range of modern applications such as Lorentz and Poincaré invariance, coherent states, quantum phase transitions, the quantum Hall effect, topological matter, and Chern numbers, among many others. An example based approach is adopted from the outset, and the book includes worked examples and informational boxes to illustrate and expand on key concepts. 344 homework problems are included, with full solutions available to instructors, and a subset of 172 of these problems have full solutions available to students.
An earlier version of this paper argued that all quantum numbers of the hydrogen atom -- n, l, m, s and electric charge -- are winding numbers of maps into topological spaces, and that their integrality is therefore necessary rather than imposed. That claim is too strong and is withdrawn. What survives is a distinction worth drawing carefully, because two genuinely different mechanisms are involved and they are often run together. Source one: winding numbers (homotopy). Two quantum numbers really are degrees of maps, and their integrality really is topological. The magnetic quantum number m is the winding number of the wavefunction phase about the symmetry axis: psi ~ exp(i m phi) is a map S^1 -> U(1), and pi_1(U(1)) = Z. Single-valuedness then forces m to be an integer; no boundary condition on a differential equation is required. Spin one-half arises because pi_1(SO(3)) = Z_2, so SU(2) double-covers the rotation group and half-integer representations are projective rather than genuine representations of SO(3). The two-valuedness is a covering-sheet label. Neither observation is new. Both are standard, and are stated here because the distinction from the second source is what matters. Source two: representation labels (Casimir eigenvalues). The other quantum numbers are not winding numbers, and calling them so obscures what they are. The orbital angular momentum l labels an irreducible representation of SO(3) and appears as a Casimir eigenvalue, L^2 Y = l(l+1) hbar^2 Y. The principal quantum number n labels an irreducible representation of SO(4), namely ((n-1)/2, (n-1)/2), of dimension n^2 -- which is the origin of the hydrogen degeneracy, and of the fact that the degeneracy of 2s with 2p is not "accidental" at all. Neither n nor l is the degree of any map. Their discreteness comes from the representation theory of compact groups, not from homotopy. The constraint l <= n-1 likewise follows from representation theory rather than from topology or from analysis: it is the SO(4) to SO(3) branching rule, under which the irrep above decomposes into exactly l = 0, 1, ..., n-1, giving n^2 = sum over l of (2l+1). Withdrawn claims. Three claims of the earlier version do not hold and are retracted. (i) That n and l are winding numbers: they are representation labels, as above. (ii) That electric charge is the U(1) winding number of the phase, with the Aharonov-Bohm effect "read as a definition": the Aharonov-Bohm phase is (q/hbar) times the enclosed flux, so the phase winds while q is a coupling constant multiplying it. Charge is measured in Coulombs and is not an integer; its quantisation requires Dirac's monopole argument or a compact U(1) embedded in a larger gauge group, neither of which follows from reading Aharonov-Bohm as a definition. (iii) That (n, l, m, s) are complete coordinates on S^3: S^3 is three-dimensional, so four labels cannot coordinatise it, and n is unbounded while S^3 is compact. What the paper is now for. Both sources of discreteness are topological in a loose sense, and both are standard, but they are different mathematics -- homotopy in the first case, representation theory in the second. Keeping them apart clarifies which integers in quantum mechanics are forced by the shape of a configuration space and which are forced by the structure of a symmetry group. That distinction is not new either, but it is not usually spelled out for a chemical readership, and the earlier version of this paper is evidence that it is easy to blur. Version note: the title and claims have been revised. The PDF still carries the earlier text and will be replaced in due course; where the two disagree, this description is authoritative.
The Postulates and Principles of Quantum Mechanics Commutability and Compatibility of Quantum Observables Non-Commuting Operators and Uncertainty Principle Quantum Dynamics and Schrodinger Equation Time Evolution Operator and Propagator Symmetry, Transformation and Continuous Groups Lie Groups and Lie Algebras O(3) Group, SU(2) Group and Angular Momentum Dynamical Symmetry and Hydrogen Atom Lorentz Group and Group Representation Chiral Transformation and Spinor Algebra Gamma Matrix Algebra and Discrete Symmetry in Dirac Spinor System.