Disconnected Groups as Higher Symmetry Groups

Abstract

Disconnected groups are investigated to see whether they can be used as higher symmetry groups. Some disconnected groups are given which satisfy certain minimal physical conditions. Two disconnected groups are analyzed in detail using little group techniques, and it is shown how a doubling of certain multiplets results, so that particles and their antiparticles are in the same multiplets—rather than being in separate, though equivalent multiplets as in the usual SU2 or SU3 schemes.