Group theory and de Sitter QFT, the Concept of Mass

Boers, M R (2014) Group theory and de Sitter QFT, the Concept of Mass. Master's Thesis / Essay, Physics.

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Abstract

The concept of ‘mass’ has a quite obscure status in de Sitter space. For example, in Minkowski spacetime the absence of a mass term, conformal invariance and light cone propagation are all synonymous, while in de Sitter space this is not the case. In this thesis we investigate whether a group theoretical approach might bring resolvement to this issue. It will be similar to what is done in Minkowski spacetime; the unitary irreducible representation (UIR) spaces of the isometry group are associated with complete sets of one-particle states (elementary systems), and the Casimir operators of the group are associated with the invariants of the quantum-mechanical system (rest mass and spin in Minkowski spacetime). Since the notion ‘mass’ is not well defined in de Sitter space, we will consider it in reference to Minkowski spacetime. This reference is inferred by using group contractions. We review a particular (Garidi) mass definition, given in terms of the parameters labeling the UIRs of the de Sitter isometry group SO(4,1), and for the scalar field we compare this mass with an alternative definition.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Degree programme:	Physics
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 07:57
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 07:57
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/11722

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