SU(2) Group  

In General > s.a. lie group; mathematical physics; 10j Symbol.
* Idea: The 3-dimensional group of 2 × 2 unitary matrices of unit determinant (this is the defining representation).
* Alternatively: Can be represented by the unit quaternions |p| = 1, acting on q H by q pq; Hamilton represented it by "turns'', equivalence classes of directed great circle arcs on the unit sphere S2.
* Casimir invariant: S2 = Sx2 + Sy2 + Sz2, with eigenvalues 2j(j+1).
* Finite subgroups: The cyclic groups Zn, the binary dihedral groups D4n*, the binary tetrahedral group T*, the binary octahedral group O*, and the binary icosahedral group I*.

Generators
* And group parametrization: There are three Si, in terms of which the group can be parametrized by

where S+/–:= 2–1/2 (S1 i S2), and N is a normalization factor.
* Commutation relations: The Si are chosen to satisfy [Si, Sj] = i ijk Sk (or [Ji, Jj] = i ijk Jk).
* Pauli matrices: The basis i = (i/2) i, with i = 1, 2, 3, for the Lie algebra of SU(2) in the fundamental representation, or for the set of quaternions; The matrices are given by

they satisfy the identity ij = ij + i ijkk, and their commutation relations are

[i, j] = ijk k .

@ References: Pittenger & Rubin PRA(00)qp [higher-dimensional generalization].

Representations and Other Related Topics > s.a. group reps and lie group reps; Elliptic Space.
@ References: Zalka qp/04 [high-dimensional, on quantum computer]; Kibler qp/05-in [non-standard scheme].
> And physics: see classical particles [on group manifold]; connection formulation of general relativity; coherent states.

6j-Symbol > s.a. angular momentum; clebsch-gordan coefficients.
* Idea: A real number which can be associated to a labelling of the six edges of a tetrahedron by irreducible representations of SU(2).
* Racah formula: The formula for 6j symbols

@ References: Carter et al 95; Watson JPA(99) [asymptotics]; Roberts G&T(99)mp/98 [Ponzano-Regge and geometry]; Alisauskas mp/02 [SO(n)]; Freidel & Louapre CQG(03)ht/02 [asymptotics]; Coquereaux JGP(07)ht/05 [and Ocneanu cells]; Freidel et al JMP(07) [duality relations]; Kwee & Lebed JPA(08) [identity].

Other Similar Symbols
@ 9j: Jang JMP(68) [identities]; Rosengren JMP(99) [triple sum formula]; Alisauskas JMP(00)m.QA/99 [SU(2) and uq(2) sum formulas].
@ 12j: Alisauskas JMP(02) [SU(2) and uq(2) sum formulas]; > s.a. spin foam.
@ 3nj: Wei & Dalgarno mp/03 [factorization + calculation]; Lorente mp/04-in [and Ponzano-Regge model].


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