Configuration ray representations in non-Abelian quantum kinematics and dynamics

Ray extensions of the regular representation of noncompact non-Abelian Lie groups are examined as generalizations of the Cartesian coordinate representation of ordinary quantum mechanics to the case of generalized non-Cartesian coordinates and generalized noncommuting momenta. (The momenta are in fact the generators of the representation, and so they satisfy the Lie algebra of the group.) The concept of configuration ray representation is introduced within this new kinematic formalism as subrepresentations of the regular representation which are embossed with the relativity theory of a given system. The main features of the mathematical formalism leading to these representations in configuration spacetime are discussed, and their importance for non-Abelian quantum kinematics and dynamics is emphasized. Two miscellaneous examples on the calculus of phase functions for configuration ray representations are given.     

Quantum Kinematic Theory of the Poincare Group in Two-Dimensional Spacetime

Non-Abelian quantum kinematics is applied to thePoincare group P ₊ (1, 1),as an example of the quantization-through-the-symmetryapproach to quantum mechanics. Upon quantizing thegroup, generalized Heisenberg commutation relations are obtained, and aclosed Heisenberg–Weyl algebra follows. Then,according to the general theory, the three basicquantum-kinematic invariant operators are calculated;these afford the superselection rules for diagonalizing theincoherent rigged Hilbert space H(P ₊ ) of the regularrepresentation. This paper examines only one of thesediagonalization schemes, while introducing a irreducible spacetime representation carried by isotopicplane-wave eigenvectors of two compatible superselectionoperators (which define a Poincare-invariant linear2-momentum). Thereafter, the principle of microcausality produces massive 2-spinor isotopic states in 1+ 1 Minkowski space. The Dirac equation is thus deducedwithin the quantum kinematic formalism, and the familiarJordan–Pauli propagation kernel in 2-dimensional spacetime is also obtained as a Hurwitzinvariant integral over the group manifold. The maininterest of this approach lies in the adoptedgroup-quantization technique, which is a strictlydeductive method and uses exclusively the assumed Poincaresymmetry.     

Notes on generalized global symmetries in QFT

It was recently argued that quantum field theories possess one‐form and higher‐form symmetries, labelled ‘generalized global symmetries.’ In this paper, we describe how those higher‐form symmetries can be understood mathematically as special cases of more general 2‐groups and higher groups, and discuss examples of quantum field theories admitting actions of more general higher groups than merely one‐form and higher‐form symmetries. We discuss analogues of topological defects for some of these higher symmetry groups, relating some of them to ordinary topological defects. We also discuss topological defects in cases in which the moduli ‘space’ (technically, a stack) admits an action of a higher symmetry group. Finally, we outline a proposal for how certain anomalies might potentially be understood as describing a transmutation of an ordinary group symmetry of the classical theory into a 2‐group or higher group symmetry of the quantum theory, which we link to WZW models and bosonization.     

Quantal symmetries in the non-linear σ model with Maxwell and non-Abelian Chern-Simons terms

The quantal symmetry property of the CP1 nonlinear σ model with Maxwell non-Abelian ChernSimons terms in(2+1) dimension is studied.In the Coulomb gauge,the system is quantized by using the Faddeev-Senjanovic(FS) path-integral formalism.Based on the quantaum Noether theorem,the quantal conserved angular momentum is derived and the fractional spin at the quantum level in this system is presented.     

Quantum Symmetry for a System with a Singular Lagrangian Containing Subsidiary Condition

The quantization for a system with a singular Lagrangian containing subsidiary constrained conditions in configuration space is studied. The system is called constrained singular system. In certain case, the constrained singular system can be brought into the theoretical framework of the constrained Hamilton system. A modified Dirac-Bergmann algorithm for the calculation of constraints in the system is deduced. The path integral quantization is formulated by using the Faddeev-Senjanovic scheme, and the classical/quantum Noether theorem in canonical formalism are also established for such a system. The application of the results to study the fractional spin in non-Abelian Chern-Simons theory is given. We make a precise investigation of the fractional spin for such a system at the quantal level. A simple example is presented to show that the connection between the symmetry and conservation law in classical theories in general is no longer preserved in quantum theories.     

Generalized enveloping algebras and quantum kinematic coherent states of noncompact Lie groups

A new concept of generalized enveloping algebra is introduced by means of the generalized Heisenberg commutation relations of non-Abelian quantum kinematics. This concept is examined within the quantum-kinematic formalism of some noncompact Lie groups of a special kind. The well known Gel'fand theorem (which relates the center of the traditional enveloping algebra with the adjoint representation) is then extended to the generalized enveloping algebra of the group. In this way, the isomorphism of the generalized left-center and the traditional right-center of the corresponding enveloping algebras is proved within the left regular representation of noncompact Lie groups of the chosen kind. As an interesting application of generalized enveloping algebras, this paper contains a brief discussion of quantum-kinematic (boson) ladder operators for non-Abelian noncompact finite Lie groups and of their corresponding coherent states.     

Non-Abelian Gauge Theory in the Lorentz Violating Background

In this paper, we will discuss a simple non-Abelian gauge theory in the broken Lorentz spacetime background. We will study the partial breaking of Lorentz symmetry down to its sub-group. We will use the formalism of very special relativity for analysing this non-Abelian gauge theory. Moreover, we will discuss the quantisation of this theory using the BRST symmetry. Also, we will analyse this theory in the maximal Abelian gauge.     

Wigner's pseudo-particle relativistic dynamics in external potential field

The Wigner's pseudo-particle formalism has been generalized to describe quantum dynamics of relativistic particle in external potential field. As a simplest application of the developed formalism the time evolution of the 1D relativistic quantum harmonic oscillator been considered. Due to the complex structure of the evolution equation for Wigner function, the only numerical treatment is possible by combining Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics methods. Relativistic dynamics results in appearance of the new physical effects as opposed to non-relativistic case. Interesting is the complete changing of the shape of the momentum and coordinate distribution functions as well as formation of ‘unexpected’ protuberances. To analyze the influence of relativistic effects on average values of quantum operators, the dependencies on time of average momentum, position, their dispersions and energy have been compared for the non-relativistic and relativistic dynamics.     

Field theoretic description of the Abelian and non-Abelian Josephson effect

We formulate the Josephson effect in a field theoretic language which affords a straightforward generalization to the non-Abelian case. Our formalism interprets Josephson tunneling as the excitation of pseudo Goldstone bosons. We demonstrate the formalism through the consideration of a single junction separating two regions with a purely non-Abelian order parameter and a sandwich of three regions where the central region is in a distinct phase. Applications to various non-Abelian symmetry breaking systems in particle and condensed matter physics are given.     

Importance of reversibility in the quantum formalism

In this Letter I stress the role of causal reversibility (time symmetry), together with causality and locality, in the justification of the quantum formalism. First, in the algebraic quantum formalism, I show that the assumption of reversibility implies that the observables of a quantum theory form an abstract real C^{?} algebra, and can be represented as an algebra of operators on a real Hilbert space. Second, in the quantum logic formalism, I emphasize which axioms for the lattice of propositions (the existence of an orthocomplementation and the covering property) derive from reversibility. A new argument based on locality and Soler's theorem is used to derive the representation as projectors on a regular Hilbert space from the general quantum logic formalism. In both cases it is recalled that the restriction to complex algebras and Hilbert spaces comes from the constraints of locality and separability.     

Higher gauge theory and a non-Abelian generalization of 2-form electrodynamics

In conventional gauge theory, a charged point particle is described by a representation of the gauge group. If we propagate the particle along some path, the parallel transport of the gauge connection acts on this representation. The Lagrangian density of the gauge field depends on the curvature of the connection which can be calculated from the holonomy around (infinitesimal) loops. For Abelian symmetry groups, say G=U(1), there exists a generalization, known as p-form electrodynamics, in which (p−1)-dimensional charged objects can be propagated along p-surfaces and in which the Lagrangian depends on a generalized curvature associated with (infinitesimal) closed p-surfaces. In this article, we use Lie 2-groups and ideas from higher category theory in order to formulate a discrete gauge theory which generalizes these models at the level p=2 to possibly non-Abelian symmetry groups. An important feature of our model is that it involves both parallel transports along paths and generalized transports along surfaces with a non-trivial interplay of these two types of variables. Our main result is the geometric picture, namely the assignment of non-Abelian quantities to geometrical objects in a coordinate free way. We construct the precise assignment of variables to the curves and surfaces, the generalized local symmetries and gauge invariant actions and we clarify which structures can be non-Abelian and which others are always Abelian. A discrete version of connections on non-Abelian gerbes is a special case of our construction. Even though the motivation sketched so far suggests applications mainly in string theory, the model presented here is also related to spin foam models of quantum gravity and may in addition provide some insight into the role of centre monopoles and vortices in lattice QCD.     

Model fractional quantum Hall states and Jack polynomials

We describe an occupation-number-like picture of fractional quantum Hall states in terms of polynomial wave functions characterized by a dominant occupation-number configuration. The bosonic variants of single-component Abelian and non-Abelian fractional quantum Hall states are modeled by Jack symmetric polynomials (Jacks), characterized by dominant occupation-number configurations satisfying a generalized Pauli principle. In a series of well-known quantum Hall states, including the Laughlin, Read-Moore, and Read-Rezayi, the Jack polynomials naturally implement a "squeezing rule" that constrains allowed configurations to be restricted to those obtained by squeezing the dominant configuration. The Jacks presented in this Letter describe new trial uniform states, but it is yet to be determined to which actual experimental fractional quantum Hall effect states they apply.     

Symmetry and symmetry breaking in generalized parastatistics

An analysis is made of the characteristics of internal symmetry and symmetry breaking in a quantum field theory with generalized parastatistics, defined by either double commutation relations or single commutation relations. The connection between the two statistics is clarified. We develop a formalism in which statistics is viewed as a dynamical or phase variable of quantum systems. It is shown that the types of Higgs phases possible depend upon statistics. Relationships between physical amplitudes implied by internal symmetry with normal statistics are violated in the case of generalized parastatistics.     

Mirror Symmetry and Other Miracles in Superstring Theory

The dominance of string theory in the research landscape of quantum gravity physics (despite any direct experimental evidence) can, I think, be justified in a variety of ways. Here I focus on an argument from mathematical fertility, broadly similar to Hilary Putnam’s ‘no miracles argument’ that, I argue, many string theorists in fact espouse in some form or other. String theory has generated many surprising, useful, and well-confirmed mathematical ‘predictions’—here I focus on mirror symmetry and the mirror theorem. These predictions were made on the basis of general physical principles entering into string theory. The success of the mathematical predictions are then seen as evidence for the framework that generated them. I shall attempt to defend this argument, but there are nonetheless some serious objections to be faced. These objections can only be evaded at a considerably high (philosophical) price.     

Electrodynamics in an LTB scenario

In this paper we investigate the Yokoyama gaugeon formalism for perturbative quantum gravity in a general curved spacetime. Within the gaugeon formalism, we extend the configuration space by introducing vector gaugeon fields describing a quantum gauge degree of freedom. Such an extended theory of perturbative gravity admits quantum gauge transformations leading to a natural shift in the gauge parameter. Further we impose the Gupta–Bleuler type subsidiary condition to remove the unphysical gaugeon modes. To replace the Gupta–Bleuler type condition by a more acceptable Kugo–Ojima type subsidiary condition we analyze the BRST symmetric gaugeon formalism. Further, the physical Hilbert space is constructed for the perturbative quantum gravity which remains invariant under both the BRST symmetry and the quantum gauge transformations.     

Geometric quantization in the presence of an electromagnetic field

Some aspects of the formalism of geometric quantization are described emphasizing the role played by the symmetry group of the quantum system which, for the free particle, turns out to be a central extensionG(_m) of the Galilei groupG. The resulting formalism is then applied to the case of a particle interacting with the electromagnetic field, which appears as a necessary modification of the connection 1-form of the quantum bundle when its invariance group is generalized to alocal extension ofG. Finally, the quantization of the electric charge in the presence of a Dirac monopole is also briefly considered.