Dynamical symmetries and Nambu mechanics

It is shown that several Hamiltonian systems possessing dynamical or hidden symmetries can be realized within the framework of Nambu's generalized mechanics. Among such systems are the SU(n)-isotropic harmonic oscillator and the SO(4) Kepler problem. As required by the formulation of Nambu dynamics, the integrals of motion for these systems necessarily become the so-called generalized Hamiltonians. Furthermore, in most of these problems, the definition of these generalized Hamiltonians is not unique.     

Dynamical symmetries inq-deformed quantum mechanics

The dynamical algebra of theq-deformed harmonic oscillator is constructed. As a result, we find the free deformed Hamiltonian as well as the Hamiltonian of the deformed oscillator as a complicated, momentum dependent interaction Hamiltonian in terms of the usual canonical variables. Furthermore we construct a welldefined algebraSU _q(1,1) with consistent conjugation properties and comultiplication. We obtain non lowest weight representations of this algebra.     

Dynamical symmetries of two-dimensional systems in relativistic quantum mechanics

The two-dimensional Dirac Hamiltonian with equal scalar and vector potentials has been proved commuting with the deformed orbital angular momentum L. When the potential takes the Coulomb form, the system has an SO(3) symmetry, and similarly the harmonic oscillator potential possesses an SU(2) symmetry. The generators of the symmetric groups are derived for these two systems separately. The corresponding energy spectra are yielded naturally from the Casimir operators. Their non-relativistic limits are also discussed.     

Dynamical symmetries in relativistic kinetic theory

This paper is part of a program investigating symmetries that are defined at a physical or observational level rather than purely geometrically. Here we generalize previous work on dynamical matter symmetries of relativistic gases. If the matter symmetry vector is surface-forming with the dynamical Liouville vector, then Einstein's equations reduce it to a Killing symmetry of the metric. We show that this conclusion is unaltered if the gas particles are subject to a nongravitational force (including the electromagnetic force on charged particles) or if the gravitational field obeys higher-order field equations. In the Brans-Dicke theory, the matter symmetry reduces to a homothetic symmetry of the metric. This is also the case for a generalized conformal symmetry in Einstein's theory. We consider the problem of relaxing the surface-forming assumption in an attempt to determine whether there are dynamical symmetries that do not necessarily reduce to geometrical symmetries of the metric.     

Non-relativistic conformal symmetries in fluid mechanics

The symmetries of a free incompressible fluid span the Galilei group, augmented with independent dilations of space and time. When the fluid is compressible, the symmetry is enlarged to the expanded Schrödinger group, which also involves, in addition, Schrödinger expansions. While incompressible fluid dynamics can be derived as an appropriate non-relativistic limit of a conformally invariant relativistic theory, the recently discussed conformal Galilei group, obtained by contraction from the relativistic conformal group, is not a symmetry. This is explained by the subtleties of the non-relativistic limit.     

Dynamical symmetries in contemporary nuclear structure applications

In terms of group theory—the language of symmetries, the concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking is represented in terms of chains of group-subgroup structures that define the dynamical symmetry of the system under consideration. This framework enables exact analytic solutions of the associated eigenvalue problems.     

Dynamical symmetries for superintegrable quantum systems

We study the dynamical symmetries of a class of two-dimensional superintegrable systems on a 2-sphere, obtained by a procedure based on the Marsden-Weinstein reduction, by considering its shape-invariant intertwining operators. These are obtained by generalizing the techniques of factorization of one-dimensional systems. We firstly obtain a pair of noncommuting Lie algebras su(2) that originate the algebra so(4). By considering three spherical coordinate systems, we get the algebra u(3) that can be enlarged by “reflexions” to so(6). The bounded eigenstates of the Hamiltonian hierarchies are associated to the irreducible unitary representations of these dynamical algebras. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Dynamical symmetries of the Geodesic equation

A class of dynamical symmetries for the Euler-Lagrange equations corresponding to the LagrangianL=(1/2)g _ab q ^a q ^b is determined. The members of the class are closely related to tensor fields defined on the configuration space. First integrals generated by the dynamical symmetries through deformation of a given first integral are then examined. Noether-type conserved quantities whose expression depends only on the dynamical symmetry are also explicitly exhibited. Applications to general relativity are also pointed out in the course of the discussion.     

Lie symmetries and superintegrability in quantum mechanics

Starting from the structure of the higher order Lie symmetries of the Schrödinger equation in the Euclidean plane E2, we establish, in the case of first-and second-order symmetries, the relations between separation of variables and superintegrable systems in quantum mechanics.     

Dynamical algebras in classical mechanics

For a spectrum-generating algebra of classical observables, it is proven that the phase space dynamics simplifies to a Hamiltonian system on submanifolds of the algebra's dual. These submanifolds are coadjoint orbits if the algebra arises from a symplectic group action. If the Hamiltonian splits into the sum of a function of the algebra generators plus a commuting part, then the dynamics transfers to the dual space and an explicit formula is given for the flow vector field on the coadjoint orbits. A unique feature of the presentation is that all constructions are at the Lie algebra level.     

All local classical symmetries in Hamiltonian mechanics

Using the formalism of symplectic group actions and coadjoint orbits, we give a complete list of all classical simple Lie algebras which are local symmetries for a given Hamiltonian vector field.     

Causality, symmetries and quantum mechanics

It is argued that there is no evidence for causality as a metaphysical relation in quantum phenomena. The assumptions that there are no causal laws, but only probabilities for physical processes constrained by symmetries, leads naturally to quantum mechanics. In particular, an argument is made for why there are probability amplitudes that are complex numbers. This argument generalizes the Feynman path integral formulation of quantum mechanics to include all possible terms in the action that are allowed by the symmetries, but only the lowest order terms are observable at the presently accessible energy scales, which is consistent with observation. The notion of relational reality is introduced in order to give physical meaning to probabilities. This appears to give rise to a new interpretation of quantum mechanics.     

Dynamical symmetry breaking of extended gauge symmetries

We construct asymptotically free gauge theories exhibiting dynamical breaking of the left-right gauge group G(LR)=SU(3)(c) x SU(2)(L) x SU(2)(R) x U(1)(B-L), and its extension to the Pati-Salam gauge group G(422)=SU(4)(PS) x SU(2)(L) x SU(2)(R). The models incorporate technicolor for electroweak breaking, and extended technicolor for the breaking of G(LR) and G422 and the generation of fermion masses. They include a seesaw mechanism for neutrino masses, without a grand unified theory (GUT) scale. These models explain why G(LR) and G422 break to SU(3)(c) x SU(2)(L) x U(1)(Y), and why this takes place at a scale (approximately 10(3) TeV) large compared to the electroweak scale, but much smaller than a GUT scale.     

Dynamical consequences of spontaneous breakdown of symmetries

The spontaneous breakdown of a continuous symmetry group generated by conserved currents is considered. In the framework of general quantum field theory the possible dynamical consequences of spontaneous breakdown are analysed: a general relation is derived between n− and (n+1) — point functions involving Goldstone bosons in the limit of zero momentum. The technique is illustrated by a few examples for the SU(2) × SU(2) chiral group and the results generalized relations known from the perturbative treatment of the σ-model.     

Universal local symmetries and nonsuperposition in classical mechanics

In the Hilbert space formulation of classical mechanics, pioneered by Koopman and von Neumann, there are potentially more observables than in the standard approach to classical mechanics. In this Letter, we show that actually many of those extra observables are not invariant under a set of universal local symmetries which appear once the Koopman and von Neumann formulation is extended to include the evolution of differential forms. Because of their noninvariance, those extra observables have to be removed. This removal makes the superposition of states in the Koopman and von Neumann formulation, and as a consequence also in classical mechanics, impossible.     

Dynamical symmetries in Kondo tunneling through complex quantum dots

Kondo tunneling reveals hidden SO(n) dynamical symmetries of evenly occupied quantum dots. As is exemplified for an experimentally realizable triple quantum dot in parallel geometry, the possible values n=3,4,5,7 can be easily tuned by gate voltages. Following construction of the corresponding o(n) algebras, scaling equations are derived and Kondo temperatures are calculated. The symmetry group for a magnetic field induced anisotropic Kondo tunneling is SU(2) or SO(4).     

Representations of non-commutative quantum mechanics and symmetries

We present a unified approach to representations of quantum mechanics on non-commutative spaces with general constant commutators of the phase-space variables. We find two phases and duality relations among them in arbitrary dimensions. Conditions for the physical equivalence of different representations of a given system are analyzed. Symmetries and classification of phase spaces are discussed. Especially, the dynamical symmetry of a physical system is investigated. Finally, we apply our analyses to the two-dimensional harmonic oscillator and the Landau problem. Received: 17 December 2002, Published online: 11 June 2003     

Classical mechanics: Inverse problem and symmetries

The inverse problem of classical mechanics, i.e. the variational formulation of a given Newton equation is presented “in the broadest generality” in the framework of the Cartan's exterior differential systems. The relation between the second degree symmetries (i.e. the symmetry bivector fields) of the Newton equation and the first integrals of motion is demonstrated.     

Dynamical origin of quantum mechanics

A new quantization method is proposed to obtain the equation of motion for a quantum system as the Lie-Poisson equation for a probability current on the S¹-bundle over a physical space.     

Dynamical versus variational symmetries: understanding Noether's first theorem

It is argued that awareness of the distinction between dynamical and variational symmetries is crucial to understanding the significance of Noether's 1918 work. Special attention is paid, by way of a number of striking examples, to Noether's first theorem, which establishes a correlation between dynamical symmetries and conservation principles.