Clifford algebra unveils a surprising geometric significance of quaternionic root systems of Coxeter groups (Q351484): Difference between revisions
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Quaternionic representations of Coxeter (reflection) groups of ranks 3 and 4, as well as those of \(E_8\), have been used extensively in the literature. The present paper analyses such Coxeter groups in the Clifford geometric algebra framework, which affords a simple way of performing reflections and rotations whilst exposing more clearly the underlying geometry. The Clifford approach shows that the quaternionic representations in fact have very simple geometric interpretations. The representations of the groups \(A_1\times A_1 \times A_1\), \(A_3\), \(B_3\) and \(H_3\) of rank 3 in terms of pure quaternions are shown to be simply the Hodge dualised root vectors, which determine the reflection planes of the Coxeter groups. Two successive reflections result in a rotation, described by the geometric product of the two reflection vectors, giving a Clifford spinor. The spinors for the rank-3 groups \(A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1\), \(A_3\), \(B_3\) and \(H_3\) yield a new simple construction of binary polyhedral groups. These in turn generate the groups \(A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1\), \(D_4\), \(F_4\) and \(H_4\) of rank 4 and their widely used quaternionic representations are shown to be spinors in disguise. Therefore, the Clifford geometric product in fact induces the rank-4 groups from the rank-3 groups. In particular, the groups \(D_ 4\), \(F_4\) and \(H_4\) are exceptional structures, which the present study sheds new light on. | |||
Property / review text: Quaternionic representations of Coxeter (reflection) groups of ranks 3 and 4, as well as those of \(E_8\), have been used extensively in the literature. The present paper analyses such Coxeter groups in the Clifford geometric algebra framework, which affords a simple way of performing reflections and rotations whilst exposing more clearly the underlying geometry. The Clifford approach shows that the quaternionic representations in fact have very simple geometric interpretations. The representations of the groups \(A_1\times A_1 \times A_1\), \(A_3\), \(B_3\) and \(H_3\) of rank 3 in terms of pure quaternions are shown to be simply the Hodge dualised root vectors, which determine the reflection planes of the Coxeter groups. Two successive reflections result in a rotation, described by the geometric product of the two reflection vectors, giving a Clifford spinor. The spinors for the rank-3 groups \(A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1\), \(A_3\), \(B_3\) and \(H_3\) yield a new simple construction of binary polyhedral groups. These in turn generate the groups \(A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1\), \(D_4\), \(F_4\) and \(H_4\) of rank 4 and their widely used quaternionic representations are shown to be spinors in disguise. Therefore, the Clifford geometric product in fact induces the rank-4 groups from the rank-3 groups. In particular, the groups \(D_ 4\), \(F_4\) and \(H_4\) are exceptional structures, which the present study sheds new light on. / rank | |||
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Property / reviewed by | |||
Property / reviewed by: Andreas Arvanitoyeorgos / rank | |||
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Property / Mathematics Subject Classification ID | |||
Property / Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 15A66 / rank | |||
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Property / Mathematics Subject Classification ID | |||
Property / Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 15B33 / rank | |||
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Property / zbMATH DE Number | |||
Property / zbMATH DE Number: 6184791 / rank | |||
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Property / zbMATH Keywords | |||
Clifford algebra | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: Clifford algebra / rank | |||
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Coxeter group | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: Coxeter group / rank | |||
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root system | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: root system / rank | |||
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quaternions | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: quaternions / rank | |||
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representation | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: representation / rank | |||
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spinor | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: spinor / rank | |||
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binary polyhedral group | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: binary polyhedral group / rank | |||
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Clifford geometric algebra | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: Clifford geometric algebra / rank | |||
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Property / zbMATH Keywords | |||
Clifford geometric product | |||
Property / zbMATH Keywords: Clifford geometric product / rank | |||
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Revision as of 09:29, 28 June 2023
scientific article
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English | Clifford algebra unveils a surprising geometric significance of quaternionic root systems of Coxeter groups |
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Statements
Clifford algebra unveils a surprising geometric significance of quaternionic root systems of Coxeter groups (English)
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5 July 2013
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Quaternionic representations of Coxeter (reflection) groups of ranks 3 and 4, as well as those of \(E_8\), have been used extensively in the literature. The present paper analyses such Coxeter groups in the Clifford geometric algebra framework, which affords a simple way of performing reflections and rotations whilst exposing more clearly the underlying geometry. The Clifford approach shows that the quaternionic representations in fact have very simple geometric interpretations. The representations of the groups \(A_1\times A_1 \times A_1\), \(A_3\), \(B_3\) and \(H_3\) of rank 3 in terms of pure quaternions are shown to be simply the Hodge dualised root vectors, which determine the reflection planes of the Coxeter groups. Two successive reflections result in a rotation, described by the geometric product of the two reflection vectors, giving a Clifford spinor. The spinors for the rank-3 groups \(A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1\), \(A_3\), \(B_3\) and \(H_3\) yield a new simple construction of binary polyhedral groups. These in turn generate the groups \(A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1 \times A_1\), \(D_4\), \(F_4\) and \(H_4\) of rank 4 and their widely used quaternionic representations are shown to be spinors in disguise. Therefore, the Clifford geometric product in fact induces the rank-4 groups from the rank-3 groups. In particular, the groups \(D_ 4\), \(F_4\) and \(H_4\) are exceptional structures, which the present study sheds new light on.
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Clifford algebra
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Coxeter group
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root system
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quaternions
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representation
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spinor
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binary polyhedral group
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Clifford geometric algebra
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Clifford geometric product
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