Hyperspherical Functions and Harmonic Analysis on the Lorentz Group

Abstract

Matrix elements of spinor and principal series representations of the Lorentz group are studied in the basis of complex angular momentum (helicity basis). It is shown that matrix elements are expressed via hyperspherical functions (relativistic spherical functions). In essence, the hyperspherical functions present itself a four-dimensional (with respect to a pseudo-euclidean metrics of Minkowski spacetime) generalization of the usual three-dimensional spherical functions. An explicit form of the hyperspherical functions is given. The hypespherical functions of the spinor representations are represented by a product of generalized spherical functions and Jacobi functions. It is shown that zonal hyperspherical functions are expressed via the Appell functions. The associated hyperspherical functions are defined as the functions on a two-dimensional complex sphere. Integral representations, addition theorems, symmetry and recurrence relations for hyperspherical functions are given. In case of the principal and supplementary series representations of the Lorentz group, the matrix elements are expressed via the functions represented by a product of spherical and conical functions. The hyperspherical functions of the principal series representations allow one to apply methods of harmonic analysis on the Lorentz group. Different forms of expansions of square integrable functions on the Lorentz group are studied. By way of example, an expansion of the wave function, representing the Dirac field $(1/2,0)\oplus(0,1/2)$, is given.