Some basics of $su(1,1)$

Abstract

A basic introduction to the $su(1,1)$ algebra is presented, in which we discuss the relation with canonical transformations, the realization in terms of quantized radiation field modes and coherent states. Instead of going into details of these topics, we rather emphasize the existing connections between them. We discuss two parametrizations of the coherent states manifold $SU(1,1)/U(1)$: as the Poincar{\'e} disk in the complex plane and as the pseudosphere (a sphere in a Minkowskian space), and show that it is a natural phase space for quantum systems with SU(1,1) symmetry.