Type of Work

Article

Date

11-1999

Journal Title

American Journal of Physics

Journal ISSN

0002-9505

Journal Volume

67

Journal Issue

11

First Page

972

Last Page

980

DOI

10.1119/1.19175

Abstract

Spin networks, essentially labeled graphs, are “good quantum numbers” for the quantum theory of geometry. These structures encompass a diverse range of techniques which may be used in the quantum mechanics of finite dimensional systems, gauge theory, and knot theory. Though accessible to undergraduates,spin network techniques are buried in more complicated formulations. In this paper a diagrammatic method, simple but rich, is introduced through an association of 2×2" role="presentation" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; word-spacing: normal; word-wrap: normal; white-space: nowrap; float: none; direction: ltr; max-width: none; max-height: none; min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; border: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 0px 0px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">2×22×2 matrices with diagrams. This spin network diagrammatic method offers new perspectives on the quantum mechanics of angular momentum, group theory, knot theory, and even quantum geometry. Examples in each of these areas are discussed.

Notes

This document is the publisher's version of an article published in:

American Journal of Physics, vol. 67, no. 11 (1999): 972-980. doi: 10.1119/1.19175

Hamilton Areas of Study

Physics

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