Quantum Topology / Hopf Algebra Seminar

Mark Hopkins
UW-Milwaukee
Unification of Galilei, Poincare and Euclidean Symmetry
Abstract: The passage of 100 years has not uncovered all that can be said about Relativistic Physics and its relation to Newtonian Physics and Galilean Relativity.
Defining the Poincaré Group -> Galilei Group correspondence limit is not a trivial exercise. Since the Galilei group has a central charge (mass), then it is necessary to include an 11th generator into the Poincaré group and a 5th coordinate to the underlying geometry. The result is a unification of Galilei and Poincaré into a continuous 1-parameter family of gauge groups that also happens to include, for free, the 4-dimensional Euclidean group and a definition of absolute time.
All members of the family are embedded in the 4+1 Poincaré group in a way analogous to the unification of Euclidean, Hyperbolic and Spherical geometries into projective geometry.
We will review the ramifications of the unification; revisiting such questions, along the way, as: "What is the meaning of Euclidean time?" and "What is the meaning of imaginary mass for tachyons?"
Tuesday October 7, 2008 at 3:00 PM in SEO 712
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