Lie Groups for Pedestrians (Dover Books on Physics)

Book Details

• Author: Harry J. Lipkin

• Language: English

• Edition: Reprint

• ISBN: Not Applicable (Kindle Edition)

• Pages: 192

• Cover: Kindle eBook

About The Book

Group Theory and Its Application to the Quantum Mechanics of Atomic Spectra by Harry J. Lipkin is a concise and insightful guide designed for physicists who wish to grasp the practical applications of group theory without diving deep into its abstract formalism. Acknowledging that many physicists hesitate to engage with group theory due to its perceived complexity, the author demystifies the subject by focusing on techniques that are both useful and approachable.

This Kindle edition presents a progression from familiar angular momentum algebra to broader applications involving Lie groups such as SU(2) and SU(3). Topics include isospin, the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator, operator algebras, permutation groups, and the effective use of Young diagrams for classification and symmetry. It also introduces higher-rank groups like SU(4), SU(6), and SU(12), all in the context of their relevance to elementary particle physics.

Accessible and filled with illustrative examples, this book is particularly valuable for graduate students and researchers in quantum mechanics, particle physics, and theoretical physics who want to strengthen their mathematical toolkit and understand how group theoretical methods enhance physical intuition.