Symmetries in Physics
Subtitle: Group Theory Applied to Physical Problems
By: by Wolfgang Ludwig, Claus Falter
Contributors: Falter, Claus
Series: Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences -- 64; Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences -- 64.
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published: 1988
Place of publication: Berlin, Heidelberg
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 461
ISBN-13: 9783642970313; 9783642970290
Subjects: Mathematical physics; Physics
Description: Everyone knows that symmetry is fundamentally important in physics. On one hand, the symmetry of a system is often the starting point for general physical considerations, and on the other hand, particular problems may be solved in simpler and more elegant ways if symmetry is taken into account. This book presents the underlying theories of symmetry and gives examples of their application in branches of physics ranging from solid-state to high-energy physics via atomic and molecular physics. The text is as self-contained as possible, with as much mathematical formalism given as required. The main emphasis is on the theory of group representations and on the method of projection operators, this is a very powerful tool which is often treated only very briefly. Discrete symmetries, continuous symmetries and symmetry breaking are also discussed, and exercises are provided to stimulate the reader to carry out original work.
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Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Elements of the Theory of Finite Groups; title: Discrete Symmetry Groups; title: Representations of Finite Groups; title: Irreducible Representations of Special Groups; title: Tensor Operators and Expectation Values; title: Molecular Spectra; title: Selection Rules and Matrix Elements; title: Representations of Space Groups; title: Excitation Spectra and Selection Rules in Crystals; title: Lie Groups and Lie Algebras; title: Representations by Young Diagrams. The Method of Irreducible Tensors; title: Applications of the Theory of Continuous Groups; title: Internal Symmetries and Gauge Theories; title: Appendices; title: References; title: Additional References; title: Subject Index.