A new quantum number derived from conformal invariance

1969
6 pages
Published in:
  • Nucl.Phys.B 13 (1969) 231-236,
  • Nucl.Phys.B 14 (1969) 474-474 (erratum)
  • Published: 1969

Citations per year

19701981199220032012120
Abstract: (Elsevier)
A detailed analysis of the conformal group of relativistic space-time and its four-dimensional homogeneous spaces shows that for example the mass 0 scalar field in the appropriate (not the usual) conformal compactification of Minkowski space carries a unitary representation not of the conformal group SO O (4.2)/C 2 . but of its covering group SO O (4.2). The invariant definition of causality is given. and the representations to mass 0 of the spin-covering group SU O (2,2) of the conformal group are investigted. The physical consequences are either the existence of a new conserved multiplicative quantum number R for conformal symmetry (the corresponding selection rule would for example forbid the process spin 0 → 2 γ for mass 0 particles). or the prediction that all possible mass 0. spin | s | ⩽ 2 particles are given by the γ-quantum. one type of neutrino (the left-handed for example). and a spin 3 2 particle whose helicity has the opposite sign.
  • quantum number
  • invariance: conformal
  • symmetry: so(4,2)-zero
  • symmetry: su(2,2)-zero
  • spin