Clifford Algebra in Mathematics and Physics
Stefano Spezia
9781773611266
362 pages
Arcler Education Inc
Overview
The Clifford or geometric algebra (GA) is an algebra generated by a vector space with a bilinear form with some special properties. GA is more efficient than the matrix algebra because of the fact that the components of geometric algebra can be expressed without introducing any arbitrary basis and turned out to be a superior mathematical tool which provides a common mathematical language that aids a unified approach and understanding in topics across mathematics, physics and engineering. For example, complex variables, vectors, quaternions, matrix theory, differential forms, tensor calculus, spinors and twistors, are all subsumed under a common approach.The book begins with a brief historical introduction, followed by a description of the mathematical formalism of Clifford algebra. In particular, definitions, axiom and examples applied to two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces have been presented. Section 1 gives an overview of the application of GA in Physics, focusing on geometric algebra pictures of both the plane wave solution of the Maxwell equation and special relativity, a toy model of SU(3) symmetry, and some preliminary thoughts about a possible geometric meaning of quantum mechanics. In particular, it is cleared that the internal spin structure of the particle is hidden in both Schrödinger and Dirac equations showing that the classical mechanics combined with zero-point field leads to quantum mechanics. Section 2 discusses the problem of quantization in quantum theory, a natural algebraic alternative definition of time, a coordinate-free formulation of General Relativity, a more unified and systematic description of flux compactifications and of supergravity and string compactifications in general. Finally, the last Section 3 begins with the study of the association of a quaternion algebra to the set of generalized Fibonacci quaternions by using the construction of Clifford algebras and concludes with the study of an important branch of modern analysis: The Clifford analysis.
Author Bio
Stefano Spezia is Ph.D. holder in Applied Physics at the University of Palermo since April 2012. His major research experience is in noise-induced effects in nonlinear systems, especially in the fields of modeling of complex biological systems and simulation of semiconductor spintronic devices. Associate member of the Italian Physical Society and European Physical Society.
