Toward an octonionic world

DOI10.1023/A:1026617314160MaRDI QIDQ1303407zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Stefano De Leo, Khaled Abdel-Khalek

Publication date 11 November 1999

Published in International Journal of Theoretical Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/9905123

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Clifford algebras, spinors (15A66) Finite-dimensional groups and algebras motivated by physics and their representations (81R05) Groups and algebras in quantum theory (81R99)

Abstract: In order to obtain a consistent formulation of octonionic quantum mechanics (OQM), we introduce left-right barred operators. Such operators enable us to find the translation rules between octonionic numbers and $8imes8$ real matrices (a translation is also given for $4imes4$ complex matrices). The use of a complex geometry allows us to overcome the hermiticity problem and define an appropriate momentum operator within OQM. As an application of our results, we develop an octonionic relativistic free wave equation, linear in the derivatives. Even if the wave functions are only one-component we show that four independent solutions, corresponding to those of the Dirac equation, exist.

Review text

Octonionic quantum mechanics is promoted as a generalization of quaternionic and complex quantum mechanics. After some introductory and motivating remarks, the octonion algebra and its representation via left and right barred operators is explained in detail. Left or right (barred) operators are represented via \(8\times 8\)-matrices acting on the linear space underlying the octonions. However, the octonionic multiplication is not mapped onto the matrix multiplication due to non-associativity. The authors develop, using translation tables, the rules to deal with the octonion product and show where naive application fails. Octonionic counterparts of Dirac gamma matrices are given for Dirac-, Majorana-, and chiral-representations. These gammas are used to formulate an octonionic Dirac equation. Since completeness relations of the basis spinors look different, having however the same trace, QED calculations may differ in the octonionic formulation from conventional complex quantum field theory. The authors follow \textit{S. Adler} [Phys. Lett., B 358, 332 ff. (1994)] claiming that physics is modelled towards smaller scales from reals over complex and quaternion numbers to octonions.

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