Weak Hopf Algebras II: Representation theory, dimensions and the Markov trace

If A is a weak C^*-Hopf algebra then the category of finite dimensional unitary representations of A is a monoidal C^*-category with monoidal unit being the GNS representation D_eps associated to the counit \eps. This category has isomorphic left dual and right dual objects which leads, as usual, to the notion of dimension function. However, if \eps is not pure the dimension function is matrix valued with rows and columns labelled by the irreducibles contained in D_eps. This happens precisely when the inclusions A^L < A and A^R < A are not connected. Still there exists a trace on A which is the Markov trace for both inclusions. We derive two numerical invariants for each C^*-WHA of trivial hypercenter. These are the common indices I and \delta, of the Haar, respectively Markov conditional expectations of either one of the inclusions A^{L/R} \delta. In the special case of weak Kac algebras we show that I=\delta is an integer.Comment: 45 pages, LaTeX, submitted to J. Algebr

Weak Hopf Algebras I: Integral Theory and C^*-structure

We give an introduction to the theory of weak Hopf algebras proposed recently as a coassociative alternative of weak quasi-Hopf algebras. We follow an axiomatic approach keeping as close as possible to the "classical" theory of Hopf algebras. The emphasis is put on the new structure related to the presence of canonical subalgebras A^L and A^R in any weak Hopf algebra A that play the role of non-commutative numbers in many respects. A theory of integrals is developed in which we show how the algebraic properties of A, such as the Frobenius property, or semisimplicity, or innerness of the square of the antipode, are related to the existence of non-degenerate, normalized, or Haar integrals. In case of C^*-weak Hopf algebras we prove the existence of a unique Haar measure h in A and of a canonical grouplike element g in A implementing the square of the antipode and factorizing into left and right algebra elements. Further discussion of the C^*-case will be presented in Part II.Comment: 40 pages, LaTeX, to appear in J. Algebr

Symmetry Representations in the Rigged Hilbert Space Formulation of Quantum Mechanics

We discuss some basic properties of Lie group representations in rigged Hilbert spaces. In particular, we show that a differentiable representation in a rigged Hilbert space may be obtained as the projective limit of a family of continuous representations in a nested scale of Hilbert spaces. We also construct a couple of examples illustrative of the key features of group representations in rigged Hilbert spaces. Finally, we establish a simple criterion for the integrability of an operator Lie algebra in a rigged Hilbert space

Irreversible Quantum Mechanics in the Neutral K-System

The neutral Kaon system is used to test the quantum theory of resonance scattering and decay phenomena. The two dimensional Lee-Oehme-Yang theory with complex Hamiltonian is obtained by truncating the complex basis vector expansion of the exact theory in Rigged Hilbert space. This can be done for K_1 and K_2 as well as for K_S and K_L, depending upon whether one chooses the (self-adjoint, semi-bounded) Hamiltonian as commuting or non-commuting with CP. As an unexpected curiosity one can show that the exact theory (without truncation) predicts long-time 2 pion decays of the neutral Kaon system even if the Hamiltonian conserves CP.Comment: 36 pages, 1 PostScript figure include

Misleading signposts along the de Broglie-Bohm road to quantum mechanics

Eighty years after de Broglie's, and a little more than half a century after Bohm's seminal papers, the de Broglie--Bohm theory (a.k.a. Bohmian mechanics), which is presumably the simplest theory which explains the orthodox quantum mechanics formalism, has reached an exemplary state of conceptual clarity and mathematical integrity. No other theory of quantum mechanics comes even close. Yet anyone curious enough to walk this road to quantum mechanics is soon being confused by many misleading signposts that have been put up, and not just by its detractors, but unfortunately enough also by some of its proponents. This paper outlines a road map to help navigate ones way.Comment: Dedicated to Jeffrey Bub on occasion of his 65th birthday. Accepted for publication in Foundations of Physics. A "slip of pen" in the bibliography has been corrected -- thanks go to Oliver Passon for catching it

The density matrix in the de Broglie-Bohm approach

If the density matrix is treated as an objective description of individual systems, it may become possible to attribute the same objective significance to statistical mechanical properties, such as entropy or temperature, as to properties such as mass or energy. It is shown that the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation of quantum theory can be consistently applied to density matrices as a description of individual systems. The resultant trajectories are examined for the case of the delayed choice interferometer, for which Bell appears to suggest that such an interpretation is not possible. Bell's argument is shown to be based upon a different understanding of the density matrix to that proposed here.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure

Hypersurface Bohm-Dirac models

We define a class of Lorentz invariant Bohmian quantum models for N entangled but noninteracting Dirac particles. Lorentz invariance is achieved for these models through the incorporation of an additional dynamical space-time structure provided by a foliation of space-time. These models can be regarded as the extension of Bohm's model for N Dirac particles, corresponding to the foliation into the equal-time hyperplanes for a distinguished Lorentz frame, to more general foliations. As with Bohm's model, there exists for these models an equivariant measure on the leaves of the foliation. This makes possible a simple statistical analysis of position correlations analogous to the equilibrium analysis for (the nonrelativistic) Bohmian mechanics.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, RevTex. Completely revised versio