Symmetry groups, density-matrix equations and covariant Wigner functions

Abstract

A representation theory for Lie groups is developed taking the Hilbert space, say H w , of the w ∗ -algebra standard representation as the representation space. In this context the states describing physical systems are amplitude wave functions but closely connected with the notion of the density matrix. Then, based on symmetry properties, a general physical interpretation for the dual variables of thermal theories, in particular the thermofield dynamics (TFD) formalism, is introduced. The kinematic symmetries, Galilei and Poincaré, are studied and (density) amplitude matrix equations are derived for both of these cases. In the same context of group theory, the notion of phase space in quantum theory is analysed. Thus, in the non-relativistic situation, the concept of density amplitude is introduced, and as an example, a spin-half system is algebraically studied; Wigner function representations for the amplitude density matrices are derived and the connection of TFD and the usual Wigner-function methods are analysed. For the Poincaré symmetries the relativistic density matrix equations are studied for the scalar and spinorial fields. The relativistic phase space is built following the lines of the non-relativistic case. So, for the scalar field, the kinetic theory is introduced via the Klein–Gordon density-matrix equation, and a derivation of the Jüttiner distribution is presented as an example, thus making it possible to compare with the standard approaches. The analysis of the phase space for the Dirac field is carried out in connection with the dual spinor structure induced by the Dirac-field density-matrix equation, with the physical content relying on the symmetry groups. Gauge invariance is considered and, as a basic result, it is shown that the Heinz density operator (which has been used to develope a gauge covariant kinetic theory) is a particular solution for the (Klein–Gordon and Dirac) density-matrix equation.