Clifford Algebra: A Computational Tool for Physicists
Clifford algebras have become an indispensable tool for physicists at the cutting edge of theoretical investigations. Applications in physics range from special relativity and the rotating top at one end of the spectrum, to general relativity and Dirac’s equation for the electron at the other. Clifford algebras have also become a virtual necessity in some areas of physics, and their usefulness is expanding in other areas, such as algebraic manipulations involving Dirac matrices in quantum thermodynamics; Kaluza-Klein theories and dimensional renormalization theories; and the formation of superstring theories. This book, aimed at beginning graduate students in physics and math, introduces readers to the techniques of Clifford algebras.brIntroductionbr1. A Taste of Clifford Algebra in Euclidean 3-Spacebr2. A Sample of Clifford Algebra in Minkowski 4-Spacebr3. Clifford Algebra for Flat n-Dimensional Spacesbr4. Curved Spaces Embedded in Higher Dimensional Flat Spacesbr5. The Use of Fock-Ivanenko 2-Vectors to Obtain the Schwarzschild Metricbr6. The Schwarzschild Metric via Fock-Ivanenko 2-Vectorsbr7. Two Differential Operatorsbr8. Dirac’s Equation for the Electronbr9. The Kerr Metric by an Elementary Brute Force Methodbr10. Petrov’s Canonical Forms for the Weyl Tensor and Another Approach to the Kerr Metricbr11. Matrix Representations and Classifications of Clifford AlgebrasbrAppendixbrBibliographybrIndexbrbrA wonderful book…I have browsed through it while occupied with several other competing projects. In the process I have internalized the classification of Clifford algebras, learned how physicists use Dirac’s equation, what they are doing when they talk about gauge theory, understood Hodge duality much better and so the codifferential operator. And I still have only browsed through a small portion of the text. I think we mathematicians should study the] book to learn how to improve our own levels of exposition. –Daniel H. Got@gžffffg ¾Ûâ¬