arXiv:math-ph/0011024

Symmetries Shared by Particle Physics and Quantum Optics

Y. S. Kim

Published Nov 14, 2000• 0 citations

Abstract

It is known that two coupled harmonic oscillators can support the symmetry group as rich as O(3,3) which corresponds to the Lorentz group applicable to three space-like and three time-like coordinates. This group contains many subgroups, including O(3), O(3,2), O(2,1) which are already familiar to us. In this report, we discuss the symmetry of O(1,1) which plays pivotal roles in quantum optics and particle physics. For this one-parameter group, a full-fledged group theory is not necessary, and we can start the discussion from the Hamiltonian of the coupled oscillator system. It is shown first that, from the group theoretical point of view, the squeeze state of light is a representation of this O(1,1) group. It is then shown that the same mathematical device supports three seemingly different ideas of Feynman, namely the parton model, the relativistic quark model for hadrons, and the ``rest of the universe'' in connection with the density matrix. If these three theories are combined, they produce a covariant picture of Feynman's parton model with a built-in decoherence mechanism.

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.math-ph/0011024

Related papers

Understanding Squeezed States of Light Through Wigner's Phase-Space

Sibel Baskal, Marilyn E. Noz

This paper starts with the transition from classical physics to quantum mechanics which was greatly aided by the concept of phase space. The role of canonical transformations in quantum mechanics is addressed. The Wigner phase-space distribution function is then defined which arises from the formulation of the density matrix, followed by the harmonic oscillator in phase space. Coherent and one- and two-mode squeezed states of light as well as the squeezed vacuum are discussed in the phase-space picture. Attention is also drawn to the fact that squeezed states naturally generate entanglement between the two-modes. Coupled harmonic oscillators are also elucidated in connection with the Wigner phase space. It will be noted that the phase-space picture of quantum mechanics has become an important scientific language for the rapidly expanding field of quantum optics. Here, we mainly focus on the simplest form of the Wigner function, which finds application in many branches of quantum mechanics. We make use of several symmetry groups such as Lorentz groups, the symplectic group in two and four dimensions, and the Euclidean group. The decoherence problem of an optical field is examined through a reformulation of the Poincaré sphere as a further illustration of the density matrix.

quant-pharXiv:2606.23102MathematicsJun 23, 20261 citation

de Sitter group as a symmetry for optical decoherence

Sibel Başkal, Y S Kim

Stokes parameters form a Minkowskian 4-vector under various optical transformations. As a consequence, the resulting two-by-two density matrix constitutes a representation of the Lorentz group. The associated Poincaré sphere is a geometric representation of the Lorentz group. Since the Lorentz group preserves the determinant of the density matrix, it cannot accommodate the decoherence process through the decaying off-diagonal elements of the density matrix, which yields to an increase in the value of the determinant. It is noted that the O (3, 2) de Sitter group contains two Lorentz subgroups. The change in the determinant in one Lorentz group can be compensated by the other. It is thus possible to describe the decoherence process as a symmetry transformation in the O (3, 2) space. It is shown also that these two coupled Lorentz groups can serve as a concrete example of Feynman's rest of the universe.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and GeneralMay 31, 200622 citations

Entangled Harmonic Oscillators and Space-Time Entanglement

Sibel Başkal, Young Kim, Marilyn E. Noz

The mathematical basis for the Gaussian entanglement is discussed in detail, as well as its implications in the internal space-time structure of relativistic extended particles. It is shown that the Gaussian entanglement shares the same set of mathematical formulas with the harmonic oscillator in the Lorentz-covariant world. It is thus possible to transfer the concept of entanglement to the Lorentz-covariant picture of the bound state, which requires both space and time separations between two constituent particles. These space and time variables become entangled as the bound state moves with a relativistic speed. It is shown also that our inability to measure the time-separation variable leads to an entanglement entropy together with a rise in the temperature of the bound state. As was noted by Paul A. M. Dirac in 1963, the system of two oscillators contains the symmetries of the O ( 3 , 2 ) de Sitter group containing two O ( 3 , 1 ) Lorentz groups as its subgroups. Dirac noted also that the system contains the symmetry of the S p ( 4 ) group, which serves as the basic language for two-mode squeezed states. Since the S p ( 4 ) symmetry contains both rotations and squeezes, one interesting case is the combination of rotation and squeeze, resulting in a shear. While the current literature is mostly on the entanglement based on squeeze along the normal coordinates, the shear transformation is an interesting future possibility. The mathematical issues on this problem are clarified.

arXiv:1607.05785SymmetryJun 28, 201613 citations

Lorentz-covariant harmonic oscillators

Sibel Başkal, Young S Kim, Marilyn E. Noz

This book explains the Lorentz mathematical group in a language familiar to physicists. While the three-dimensional rotation group is one of the standard mathematical tools in physics, the Lorentz group of the four-dimensional Minkowski space is still very strange to most present-day physicists. It plays an essential role in understanding particles moving at close to light speed and is becoming the essential language for quantum optics, classical optics, and information science. The book is based on papers and books published by the authors on the representations of the Lorentz group based on harmonic oscillators and their applications to high-energy physics and to Wigner functions applicable to quantum optics. It also covers the two-by-two representations of the Lorentz group applicable to ray optics, including cavity, multilayer and lens optics, as well as representations of the Lorentz group applicable to Stokes parameters and the Poincare sphere on polarization optics.

Institute of Physics eBooksMay 1, 20210 citations

Symmetries of the Poincare sphere and decoherence matrices

Sibel Başkal, Y. S. Kim

The Stokes parameters form a Minkowskian four-vector under various optical transformations. As a consequence, the resulting two-by-two density matrix constitutes a representation of the Lorentz group. The associated Poincare sphere is a geometric representation of the Lorentz group. Since the Lorentz group preserves the determinant of the density matrix, it cannot accommodate the decoherence process through the decaying off-diagonal elements of the density matrix, which yields to an incerese in the value of the determinant. It is noted that the O(3,2) deSitter group contains two Lorentz subgroups. The change in the determinant in one Lorentz group can be compensated by the other. It is thus possible to describe the decoherence process as a symmetry transformation in the O(3,2) space. It is shown also that these two coupled Lorentz groups can serve as a concrete example of Feynman's rest of the universe.

arXiv:quant-ph/0501050Jan 11, 20051 citation

Entangled Harmonic Oscillators and Space-Time Entanglement

Sibel Başkal, Young Kim, Marilyn E. Noz

The mathematical basis for the Gaussian entanglement is discussed in detail, as well as its implications in the internal space-time structure of relativistic extended particles. It is shown that the Gaussian entanglement shares the same set of mathematical formulas with the harmonic oscillator in the Lorentz-covariant world. It is thus possible to transfer the concept of entanglement to the Lorentz-covariant picture of the bound state, which requires both space and time separations between two constituent particles. These space and time variables become entangled as the bound state moves with a relativistic speed. It is shown also that our inability to measure the time-separation variable leads to an entanglement entropy together with a rise in the temperature of the bound state. As was noted by Paul A. M. Dirac in 1963, the system of two oscillators contains the symmetries of the 𝑂(3,2) de Sitter group containing two 𝑂(3,1) Lorentz groups as its subgroups. Dirac noted also that the system contains the symmetry of the 𝑆𝑝(4) group, which serves as the basic language for two-mode squeezed states. Since the 𝑆𝑝(4) symmetry contains both rotations and squeezes, one interesting case is the combination of rotation and squeeze, resulting in a shear. While the current literature is mostly on the entanglement based on squeeze along the normal coordinates, the shear transformation is an interesting future possibility. The mathematical issues on this problem are clarified.

Jan 1, 201612 citations