Related papers: Diagonalization of Sp(2) matrices
The two-by-two scattering matrix for one-dimensional scattering processes is a three-parameter Sp(2) matrix or its unitary equivalent. For one-dimensional crystals, it would be repeated applications of this matrix. The problem is how to…
The beam transfer matrix, often called the $ABCD$ matrix, is a two-by-two matrix with unit determinant, and with three independent parameters. It is noted that this matrix cannot always be diagonalized. It can however be brought by rotation…
It is noted that two-by-two S-matrices in multilayer optics can be represented by the Sp(2) group whose algebraic property is the same as the group of Lorentz transformations applicable to two space-like and one time-like dimensions. It is…
While modern optics is largely a physics of harmonic oscillators and two-by-two matrices, it is possible to learn about some hidden properties of the two-by-two matrix from optical systems. Since two-by-two matrices can be divided into…
Wigner's little groups are the subgroups of the Lorentz group whose transformations leave the momentum of a given particle invariant. They thus define the internal space-time symmetries of relativistic particles. These symmetries take…
The second-order differential equation for a damped harmonic oscillator can be converted to two coupled first-order equations, with two two-by-two matrices leading to the group $Sp(2)$. It is shown that this oscillator system contains the…
The internal space-time symmetries of relativistic particles are dictated by Wigner's little groups. The $O(3)$-like little group for a massive particle at rest and the $E(2)$-like little group of a massless particle are two different…
With its three independent parameters, the $ABCD$ matrix serves as the beam transfer matrix in optics. If it is transformed to an equi-diagonal form, the matrix has only two independent parameters determined by optical devices. It is shown…
Analogous to the famous Euler angle parametrization in three-dimensional Euclidean space, a reflection-free Lorentz transformation in (2+1)-dimensional Minkowski space can be decomposed into three simple parts. Applying this decomposition…
We present a new interpretation for reduced density matrices of secondary variables in relativistic systems via an analysis of Wigner's method to construct the irreducible unitary representations of the Poincar\'e group. We argue that the…
Any one measurement with polarized light makes it possible to fix the Mueller matrices of the Lorentz type with up to four arbitrary numeric parameters (x, u; z, w). These parameters are subject to the quadratic condition. It is…
According to Eugene Wigner, quantum mechanics is a physics of Fourier transformations, and special relativity is a physics of Lorentz transformations. Since two-by-two matrices with unit determinant form the group SL(2,c) which acts as the…
We introduce a particle mechanics model with Sp($2M$) gauge invariance. Different partial gauge-fixings by means of sl(2) embeddings on the gauge algebra lead to reduced models which are invariant under diffeomorphisms and classical…
As far as entanglement is concerned, two density matrices of $n$ particles are equivalent if they are on the same orbit of the group of local unitary transformations, $U(d_1)\times...\times U(d_n)$ (where the Hilbert space of particle $r$…
There are many two-by-two matrices in layer optics. It is shown that they can be formulated in terms of a three-parameter group whose algebraic property is the same as the group of Lorentz transformations in a space with two space-like and…
We construct a duality between several simple physical systems by showing that they are different aspects of the same quantum theory. Examples include the free relativistic massless particle and the hydrogen atom in any number of…
We consider solutions of the 2x2 matrix Hamiltonians of the physical systems within the context of the su(2) and su(1,1) Lie algebra. Our technique is relatively simple when compared with the others and treats those Hamiltonians which can…
A hermitian matrix can be parametrized by a set consisting of its determinant and the eigenvalues of its submatrices. We established a group of equations which connect these variables with the mixing parameters of diagonalization. These…
It is not always possible to diagonalize the optical $ABCD$ matrix, but it can be brought into one of the four Wigner matrices by a similarity transformation. It is shown that the four Wigner matrices can be combined into one matrix with…
The relativistic Wigner function for spin 1/2 particles is the subject of active research due to diverse applications. However, further progress is hindered by the fabulous complexity of the integro-differential equations of motion. We…