The quantum double as quantum mechanics

Abstract

We introduce ∗-structures on braided groups and braided matrices. Using this, we show that the quantum double D( U q (su 2)) can be viewed as the quantum algebra of observables of a quantum particle moving on a hyperboloid in q-Minkowski space (a three-sphere in the Lorenz metric), and with the role of angular momemtum played by U q (su 2). This provides a new example of a quantum system whose algebra of observables is a Hopf algebra. Furthermore, its dual Hopf algebra can also be viewed as a quantum algebra of observables, of another quantum system. This time the position space is a q-deformation of SL(2, R ) and the momentum group is U q (su ∗ 2) where su ∗ 2is the Drinfeld dual Lie algebra of su 2. Similar results hold for the quantum double and its dual of a general quantum group.