A Note on the Topology of Space-time in Special Relativity

We show that a topology can be defined in the four dimensional space-time of special relativity so as to obtain a topological semigroup for time. The Minkowski 4-vector character of space-time elements as well as the key properties of special relativity are still the same as in the standard theory. However, the new topological structure allows the possibility of an intrinsic asymmetry in the time evolution of physical systems

Time Asymmetric Quantum Theory - II. Relativistic Resonances from S-Matrix Poles

Relativistic resonances and decaying states are described by representations of Poincar\'e transformations, similar to Wigner's definition of stable particles. To associate decaying state vectors to resonance poles of the $S$-matrix, the conventional Hilbert space assumption (or asymptotic completeness) is replaced by a new hypothesis that associates different dense Hardy subspaces to the in- and out-scattering states. Then one can separate the scattering amplitude into a background amplitude and one or several ``relativistic Breit-Wigner'' amplitudes, which represent the resonances per se. These Breit-Wigner amplitudes have a precisely defined lineshape and are associated to exponentially decaying Gamow vectors which furnish the irreducible representation spaces of causal Poincar\'e transformations into the forward light cone.Comment: 57 pages, 6 figure

Relativistic Partial Wave Analysis Using the Velocity Basis of the Poincare Group

The velocity basis of the Poincare group is used in the direct product space of two irreducible unitary representations of the Poincare group. The velocity basis with total angular momentum j will be used for the definition of relativistic Gamow vectors.Comment: 14 pages; revte

Measurement of the total energy of an isolated system by an internal observer

We consider the situation in which an observer internal to an isolated system wants to measure the total energy of the isolated system (this includes his own energy, that of the measuring device and clocks used, etc...). We show that he can do this in an arbitrarily short time, as measured by his own clock. This measurement is not subjected to a time-energy uncertainty relation. The properties of such measurements are discussed in detail with particular emphasis on the relation between the duration of the measurement as measured by internal clocks versus external clocks.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur

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

Gamow-Jordan Vectors and Non-Reducible Density Operators from Higher Order S-Matrix Poles

In analogy to Gamow vectors that are obtained from first order resonance poles of the S-matrix, one can also define higher order Gamow vectors which are derived from higher order poles of the S-matrix. An S-matrix pole of r-th order at z_R=E_R-i\Gamma/2 leads to r generalized eigenvectors of order k= 0, 1, ... , r-1, which are also Jordan vectors of degree (k+1) with generalized eigenvalue (E_R-i\Gamma/2). The Gamow-Jordan vectors are elements of a generalized complex eigenvector expansion, whose form suggests the definition of a state operator (density matrix) for the microphysical decaying state of this higher order pole. This microphysical state is a mixture of non-reducible components. In spite of the fact that the k-th order Gamow-Jordan vectors has the polynomial time-dependence which one always associates with higher order poles, the microphysical state obeys a purely exponential decay law.Comment: 39 pages, 3 PostScript figures; sub2.eps may stall some printers and should then be printed out separately; ghostview is o.