Compact Hermitian Young Projection Operators

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a compact and practical algorithm to construct Hermitian Young projection operators for irreducible representations of the special unitary group SU(N), and discuss why ordinary Young projection operators are unsuitable for physics applications. The proof of this construction algorithm uses the iterative method described by Keppeler and Sj\"odahl. We further show that Hermitian Young projection operators share desirable properties with Young tableaux, namely a nested hierarchy when "adding a particle". We end by exhibiting the enormous advantage of the Hermitian Young projection operators constructed in this paper over those given by Keppeler and Sj\"odahl.