Canonically relativistic quantum mechanics: Casimir field equations of the quaplectic group

Abstract

The Hilbert space of the unitary irreducible representations of a Lie group that is a quantum dynamical group are identified with the quantum state space. Hermitian representation of the algebra are observables. The eigenvalue equations for the representation of the set of Casimir invariant operators define the field equations of the system. A general class of dynamical groups are semidirect products K *s N for which the representations are given by Mackey's theory. The homogeneous group K must be a subgroup of the automorphisms of the normal group N. The archetype dynamical group is the Poincare group. The field equations defined by the representations of the Casimir operators define the basic equations of physics; Klein-Gordon, Dirac, Maxwell and so forth. This paper explores a more general dynamical group candidate that is also a semi-direct product but where the 'translation' normal subgroup N is now the Heisenberg group. The relevant automorphisms of the Heisenberg group are the symplectic group. This together with the requirement for an orthogonal metric leads to the pseudo-unitary group for the homogeneous group K. The physical meaning and motivation of this group, called the quaplectic group, is presented and the Hermitian irreducible representations of the algebra are determined. As with the Poincare group, choice of the group defines the Hilbert space of representations that are identified with quantum particle states. The field equations that are the eigenvalue equations for the representation of the Casimir operators, are obtained and investigated. The theory embodies the Born reciprocity principle and a new relativity principle.