Circular matrices, duality theorems and the reality of Clebsch-Gordan coefficients (Q1071116)

A necessary and sufficient condition for the reality of the Clebsch-Gordan (CG) coefficients of a symmetry group is obtained. Attention is restricted to finite-dimensional irreducible representations. The relevance of the duality theorems of Pontryagin-van Kampen and of Tanaka-Krein to the criterion of reality of CG coefficients is demonstrated. It is also shown that a generalization of the Frobenius-Schur invariant can provide a sufficient condition for reality.